About NALA
The professional network for advice on languages in education
WHAT IS NALA?
The National Association of Language Advisers is a long established association for those who provide advice, support, training and inspection in the field of languages learning and teaching in the UK. We have no paid officers and operate as a democratic self-help association with a national executive committee of members. We are entirely independent but work closely with other specialist languages agencies and organisations. We play an important part in the development of languages education at many levels: the expertise, experience and judgment of our members are highly regarded. Currently membership includes representatives of specialist national agencies such as CILT (The National Centre for Languages), OFSTED, the British Council, Cultural Institutions and The Languages Company. We have valued links with other associations such as The Association for Language Learning (ALL) and the Association of Professionals in Education and Children’s Trusts (ASPECT). We are also an active member of the Speak to the Future campaign. All members are welcome at any of our regional meetings and particularly at our annual national conference. The current fee for membership is just £60, payable on the 1st September annually.
WHAT DO WE PROVIDE?
A network of professional contact through our directory of members; information and updating on relevant specialist areas; training and professional development opportunities for members; a means of influencing policy and practice through our working contact with government, national agencies and other professional bodies.
WHAT DO WE STAND FOR?
- The members share common ideals about the importance of education and in particular the learning of languages, for all ages and for society at large.
- nala believes that standards and quality can be improved through advice, training, support and inspection.
- nala aims to ensure that, through association and cooperation within the UK and through international links, advice, support, training and inspection, an effective contribution is made to the learning and teaching of languages in education in the UK.
WHO CAN JOIN?
NALA is for any professional who provides advice, support, training or inspection for the learning and teaching of languages in educational institutions, works as an external agent operating across a range of educational establishments, or is involved in any other way in professional development within the languages field. Typically, members are Local Authority Advisers, Independent Consultants, Advisory Teachers or Advanced Skills Teachers, but many other active languages professionals are also members. Membership eligibility depends on what colleagues do rather than who employs them. It is in nala‘s interest to ensure that we maintain our position at the centre of language learning developments and we actively seek applications from Primary and Secondary colleagues, including the Teaching Schools and Academies, Initial Teacher Training institutions, Further and Higher Education, etc.
You don’t have to be in any particular type of job to be eligible: it depends on what you do rather than who employs you.
What are the benefits of membership?
Members enjoy exclusive access to a dynamic network of professional contact through
- regional meetings and seminars
- national conferences
- regular information and updates on everything to do with the teaching and learning of languages
- protected access to the extensive and comprehensive NALA website
- policy, advice and support papers
You will be in the right place to influence policy and practice through close working contact with government, national and international agencies and other professional bodies.