Anas Hajar is Associate Professor of Multilingual Education at Nazarbayev University, Kazakhstan. He is particularly interested in motivational issues in language learning and intercultural engagement and also works in the areas of internationalisation, education abroad, language learning strategies and shadow education. He is the author of International Students' Challenges, Strategies and Future Vision (Multilingual Matters, 2019).

Syed Abdul Manan is Associate Professor of Multilingual Education at Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education, Kazakhstan. His research has been published in the top-tier journals that include Language Policy, Language Problems and Language Planning, Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, Multilingua, World Englishes and others. He is co-editor of the books Multilingual Selves and Motivations for Learning Languages other than English in Asian Contexts (Anas & Manan, 2024) and Agency in Multilingual Education Policy and Planning in Asia (Manan & Anas, in press).