ALL Local Groups are really important in our current context to give Languages teachers a place to meet (not too far away from base or home) and talk about all of the issues of current concern and interest (of which there are always many!)
ALL has three types of Local Groups, and is immensely grateful to the volunteers who run these:
- ALL Branch – a formally constituted part of ALL with a committee and bank account
- ALL Network – an informal group supporting teachers from various sectors
- ALL Primary Hub – an informal group supporting mostly teachers in the Primary sector (and those interested in e.g. transition)
Here are my suggestions to start your thinking about creating an ALL Local Group.
Begin:
- By looking at the ALL website: to check there is no other similar group nearby. If there is, check that you will not be stepping on each others’ toes!
- By thinking about what your group is for and who would come to it
- By giving it a name you think appropriate (usually ALL + placename + Network / Branch / Primary Hub)
- By finding somewhere to host events (this might be your own school, of course)
- Ideally by finding some colleagues around you who will help you to get started and to plan
Being a Network gives more flexibility than aiming to be a Branch straight away (but it doesn't stop you becoming a Branch later on if you want to).
Next steps:
Contact the ALL Trustee link person for Local Groups – [email protected] and [email protected] to say what you have in mind, and we will ask the relevant ALL body – the ALL Board or Council or Primary SIG - for approval. We will suggest a conversation to answer any questions you have or clarify any issues. Crista is your contact when you have an event to promote through ALLNet and the ALL Events page.
There is no allocated budget for our Hubs, Networks and Branches; many Hub events are free (or just charge for refreshments) but they may fund themselves through small charges for attending some events – e.g. refreshments.
There is a Handbook for Branches, Networks and Primary Hubs which might help too, later on. You can find it here.
ALL sends out by email an Update (PowerPoint presentation we call ‘Roadshow’) at half-term holiday, and there is an archive of these on the same page as above. This is to use at an event if you have time for it, or to share with your local members in order to keep them in touch, or for you own information.