Annual Review of Applied Linguistics

The *Annual Review of Applied Linguistics*, abbreviated as *ANNU REV APPL LINGUI* (ISSN: 0267-1905), is a premier peer-reviewed journal published by Cambridge University Press. As its title indicates, the journal provides a comprehensive, authoritative, and critical annual survey of major developments and emerging trends within the diverse field of applied linguistics. Rather than publishing individual empirical research studies, each volume adopts a thematic focus, curating a collection of state-of-the-art review articles that synthesize current scholarship on a specific, timely topic—such as language assessment, second language acquisition, multilingualism, or language policy. This thematic structure allows the journal to offer a deep, integrated perspective on a single area of inquiry per volume, making it an indispensable resource for researchers, graduate students, and language professionals seeking to stay abreast of the field’s evolving landscape. The journal is notably not open access, but it maintains a strong institutional subscription base. Its standing in the field is exceptionally high, as reflected by its 2026 Impact Factor of 10.800 and its placement in the Q1 quartile of the Journal Citation Reports. This top-tier ranking underscores its role as a benchmark for scholarly excellence and a vital reference point for cutting-edge, synthesized knowledge in applied linguistics, distinguishing it from journals that primarily publish original data-driven research.