ALA Links

Association for Language Awareness

Reg. Charity No. 1038988

The Association for Language Awareness aims at supporting and promoting activities across the whole breadth of Language Awareness. These are conducted in different fields of Language Awareness (e.g. mother tongue learning, foreign language learning, teacher education, language use in professional settings), at a variety of levels (e.g. primary, secondary and tertiary education, professional training and practice), and with objectives in a range of domains (e.g. effects on language performance, on attitudes to language etc).

The ALA pursues this goal in a variety of ways: for example, by collecting and disseminating information on Language Awareness initiatives, by promoting research into Language Awareness, by supporting initiatives undertaken by organisations with overlapping interests (e.g AILA), and by arranging conferences and meetings for practitioners and theorists in all spheres of teaching and learning, as well as for others with interests in Language Awareness.

Eric Hawkins -- Honorary Life Member

ALA at its 6th (Biennial) International Conference in Umeå bestowed upon Emeritus Professor Eric Hawkins the title of Honorary Life Member in recognition of his services to the development and promotion of Language Awareness. His books, many papers, and many conference presentations over the last thirty years have served to consolidate the role of LA in education and communication both in the UK and overseas. The ALA is proud to be seen as the standard bearer of LA and the body that has taken LA forward into the 21st century. Click here for a tribute to Eric Hawkins and here for an account of Eric Hawkins and the Basque children of 1937.

What are the benefits of being a member?

You will be linking up with an international group of professionals seeking to promote and explore the role of Language Awareness in research, education, and in the full development of socially aware individuals. In addition, the membership fee includes a subscription to the quarterly journal Language Awareness (the cheapest way to receive the journal). Members receive a 20% discount on backnumbers and subscriptions to all other journals published by Multilingual Matters. They also pay reduced conference fees at ALA conferences.

How do I join?

Membership fees for 2005 are: 18 pounds sterling for individuals; 13 for full-time students (please send proof of full-time student status).

Please send payment by sterling cheque, or bank draft payable to Association for Language Awareness, or send your Visa/Mastercard details (including date of expiry) to:

Richard APLIN, ALA Treasurer,
21 University Road,
School of Education,
University of Leicester,
Leicester LE1 7RF, U.K.
e-mail : LanguageAware@aol.com

Account details are Cooperative Bank account 65036860, branch Business Direct, sort code 08-92-99. UK members may claim tax relief on their membership fee.