Vol. 3 No. 2 (2026): Qualitative Interview: Building Trust & Getting Data

In TESOL and applied linguistics, we often turn to qualitative interviews to illuminate the lived experiences that shape learning and teaching. Yet anyone who has ever sat across or next to participants knows that generating meaningful interview data is far from a methodological choice. Indeed, it is a craft that demands relational sensitivity, ethical judgment, and the ability to create space where trust, clarity, and authenticity can emerge. 

In this issue, we explore the art and discipline of qualitative interviewing as a core practice for educators who conduct research within their own professional communities. The contributions gathered here highlight the sophisticated skills required to navigate rapport building, alignment, reflexivity, interviewer positioning, and culturally responsive engagement.