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Journal Information

First Language Pedagogy (Anyanyelv-pedagógia)

Publisher: Society of Hungarian Linguistics
Publisher's Address: 1088 Budapest, Múzeum körút 4/A

Responsible Publisher: Dezső Juhász CSc
Editor-in-Chief: Ágnes Antalné Szabó PhD
Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Judit Bóna DSc

Online ISSN: HU ISSN 2060-0623
The journal is registered with the National Media and Info Communications Authority.
It is published quarterly ((four issues per year)

Website from Issue 2024/3 onwards:http://ojs.elte.hu/anyanyelv-pedagogia
Website up to Issue 2024/2: https://www.anyanyelv-pedagogia.hu/

Aims of the Journal

The journal First Language Pedagogy was founded in 2008 by the Society of Hungarian Linguistics with the professional support of the Gyula Szemere Research Group in First Language Pedagogy. Through its publications, the journal primarily serves the advancement of research in first language pedagogy and the development of first language education. The journal offers both theoretical and practical articles. English-language abstracts, titles, and keywords are provided to facilitate the international visibility of the journal’s content.

Professional Profile of the Journal

The journal First Language Pedagogy is registered in the Hungarian Scientific Publications Database (MTMT) as a scientific, peer-reviewed journal. It publishes only original contributions and peer-reviewed articles. Each study is anonymously reviewed by two experts. The journal has been rated "A" by both the Pedagogical Scientific Committee and the Linguistics Committee of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences.

Since the journal's launch in 2008, the journal Anyanyelv-pedagógia (First Language Pedagogy) is a libre open access journal. Since its foundation, the journal has been published continuously, with four issues per year. From 2026 onward, issues appear on 28 February, 31 May, 31 August, and 30 November. It is available exclusively online, and its full content can be accessed free of charge without mandatory registration. Its regular sections include: Research Articles, From the Field, Reviews, Viewpoints, Miscellanea, and Letters to the Editor. The Calendar and Article Recommendations sections on the website are updated regularly.

Each issue contains 13 contributions, for a total of 52 published works annually. Of these, 16–20 (long-term 18–22) are full research articles appearing in the Research Articles and From the Field sections. Until 2024, studies also appeared in the Viewpoints section.

The Calendar section of the journal’s website features updates on upcoming professional events and programs under the Events submenu. The Article Recommendations section offers both readable and listenable content, as well as thematic suggestions for readers.

Since 2016, all articles (except those in the Letters to the Editor section) have been published with international DOI identifiers via the CrossRef system. Articles published between 2008 and 2015 in the Research Articles, From the Field, Reviews, Viewpoints, and Miscellanea sections received DOIs in 2025. The journal is indexed in the MATARKA and MTMT databases. Articles are archived in the ELTE Digital Institutional Repository (EDIT) and in the REAL repository maintained by the Library and Information Centre of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. From issue 3 of 2024 onward, the journal is published in the ELTE Open Journal System (OJS). Issues published before September 2024 are available in the OJS archive since January 2026.  The former website (used between 2008—2024) will be phased out by the end of 2026, while retaining redirects from the former URLs.

Editorial Work

The preparation of the journal’s publication is carried out by the members of the editorial team: the editor‑in‑chief, the deputy editor‑in‑chief, the journal manager, the section editors, the copy editor, the technical editors, the translator, and the language reviewer. Their work is supported by an international advisory board. The members of the editorial team are introduced on the Editorial Team page.

Since January 2025, all editorial and peer‑review processes and related communication have been managed within ELTE OJS. Until 2024, editing and double‑blind peer review were conducted via email. In 2025, the editorial team gradually adopted the new OJS‑based workflow. Building on the first year’s experience, the new author, editor, and reviewer guidelines aligned with the OJS system were completed by February 2026.

Publication process: Submission of the manuscript, pre‑review screening, peer review, manuscript revision, decision on acceptance or rejection, editing, technical editing, publication, and archiving. A detailed description is available under The Publication Process menu.

The editorial team carries out its work in accordance with the principles outlined in the journal’s privacy, Open Access, and ethics statements available on the website. The journal is fully committed to upholding, representing, and promoting the highest ethical standards in all aspects of its operations. All individuals involved in the journal’s publication processes—including authors, editors, reviewers, and any additional contributors—are strictly required to adhere to the principles set out in the journal’s official statements. All related activities must be carried out in full accordance with the Core Practices of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and the Recommendations for Promoting Integrity in Scientific Journal Publications issued by the Council of Science Editors.

Authors of the Journal

Researchers, educators, professionals, students, and practicing teachers are all welcome to publish in the various sections of the journal, provided their submissions meet professional standards. A key aim of the journal is to feature as many authors as possible from Hungarian communities living beyond Hungary’s borders, as well as talented young contributors.

Between 2008 and 2025, 691 authors published 982 works in various sections.

The full list of authors is available on the Authors page.

Readers of the Journal

The journal’s recognition and popularity are reflected in its visitor statistics, which are presented on the Readers page.  In 2025, Google Analytics recorded 215,957 page views from 114 countries across both the old and new websites. The editorial team continuously strengthens its relationship with readers by organizing roundtable discussions, conference presentations, and reader meetups focused on related research topics. It also works to further develop the journal’s presence on social media platforms.

Supporters of the Journal

The publication of the journal and the securing of its financial background rely on external support.  The permanent supporter of the journal is the Society of Hungarian Linguistics as its publisher. The publication of the journal in 2024 and 2025 (Issues 2024/1–4 and 2025/1–4) was supported by the ELTE Journal Development Fund and the National Cultural Fund of Hungary. The publication of Issues 1–3 in 2026 is supported by the ELTE Journal Development Fund. In 2024 and 2025, the Magyar Nyelvőr Foundation served as a professional supporter. Since 2024, the ELTE University Library and Archives has provided continuous professional support for the work of the editorial team.

Mission of the Journal

The journal First Language Pedagogy aims to support the work of researchers in first language pedagogy both within and beyond Hungary’s borders, as well as educators and early childhood professionals who work in Hungarian. The journal also seeks to promote their achievements on the international stage. It contributes to both institutional and family-based education by presenting innovative methodological approaches and modern, child-centred development practices, along with their Hungarian and international research background.

The editorial team continuously strives to enhance the journal’s professional and technical standards, expand its readership, and ensure its indexing in additional national and international academic databases. The mission of First Language Pedagogy is to serve as a catalyst and professional supporter for the research and development of first language education – not only in Hungary, but also beyond its borders.