PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT INFORMATION
Howie Berman, MA, CAE
Interim Executive Director
The National Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations (NFMLTA)
Email: [email protected]
RELEASE DATE: MARCH 19, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The National Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations (NFMLTA) Announces Next Co-Editors of The Modern Language Journal (MLJ)
Columbia, MD — The National Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations (NFMLTA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Drs. Phil Hiver and Ali Al-Hoorie as co-editors of The Modern Language Journal (MLJ), effective January 1, 2026. They will succeed Dr. Marta Antón, who has decided to retire after many years of exemplary service to the journal and to our profession as a whole.
Dr. Hiver holds a BA from the Sorbonne (Université Paris IV) in Language and Linguistics; he earned a certificate in English Language Teaching from the University of Cambridge (UK) and holds both an MA and a Ph.D. from the University of Nottingham, England, where his work focused on linguistics, language teaching and applied linguistics. Dr. Hiver is an Associate Professor in the School of Teacher Education (College of Education, Health & Human Sciences) at Florida State University.
Dr. Al-Hoorie holds a BA degree in English Language from King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, an MA in Social Science Data Analysis from Essex University (UK), a second MA in Applied Linguistics, also from Essex University (UK), and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Nottingham (UK), which he completed under the supervision of Professors Zoltán Dörnyei and Norbert Schmitt. Dr. Al-Hoorie is an Associate Professor at the Jubail English Language and Preparatory Year Institute, Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu in Saudi Arabia.
“The Modern Language Journal is one of the most-respected and highly-cited international journals in the language and linguistics space,” said Drs. Hiver and Al-Hoorie. “We are both honored and excited to have the opportunity to showcase research which addresses a broad range of pedagogical questions, and to work with researchers from around the world. We very much look forward to building upon the MLJ’s incredible success under Dr. Antón’s leadership.”
“On behalf of the NFMLTA Board and the Editor Search Committee, I congratulate Drs. Hiver and Al-Hoorie on this appointment and wish them success in this critical new role,” said Dr. Anne Nerenz, NFMLTA President and Chair of the MLJ Editor Search Committee. “Their respect for the journal’s North American roots and its relevance to scholars and practitioners around the globe, as well as their deep understanding of the rapidly-changing landscape in the world of scholarly publication confirm that they are the right team to sustain and enhance both the journal’s international standing and, more importantly, its impact on the teaching and learning of languages.”
ABOUT THE MODERN LANGUAGE JOURNAL
The Modern Language Journal (MLJ) is an international journal dedicated to promoting scholarly exchange among researchers and teachers of all modern foreign languages as well as English as a second language. Our focus is further defined by the emphasis on linking research findings to best instructional practices across a variety of settings and educational levels. Article contributions are expected to meet the highest standards of scholarly excellence, advance theoretical knowledge, and explore clearly-stated and well-supported implications for teaching and learning.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF MODERN LANGUAGE TEACHERS ASSOCIATIONS (NFMLTA)
The NFMLTA is a 501c3 organization dedicated to the expansion and promotion of research and the improvement of the teaching and learning of modern world languages, literatures, linguistics, and cultures by a variety of activities, including but not limited to grants, awards, and the publication of The Modern Language Journal (MLJ).