My Networks

              

                      As an Arabic language educator, I am surrounded by many friends and colleagues who teach Arabic too. We always support each other, share ideas about teaching methods, and share resources. In addition to my local network, I am very pleased that I am a member of ACTFL since 2012, which was recommended by STARTALK educators while I was attending their powerful course. What is ACTFL?

                The American council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) is an organization that works on improving and expanding the teaching and learning of all languages at all levels of education. More than 12,500 members who are language educators and administrators from schools, universities, government, and industry share one common goal: to inspire, educate, and prepare today's students for tomorrow's world. ACTFL was established in 1967, and since then, it has become as a symbol of invention, quality, and fidelity for meeting the evolving needs of language educators and learners.

- What are the benefits of being a member of ACTFL?

1- Free subscriptions including:

· The Language Educator—published four times a year. This magazine highlights proven classroom techniques, new technology, innovative products, and much more.

· Foreign Language Annals—published quarterly and featuring original work focused on the latest practices, methods, and research.

2- Discounts on ACTFL annual convention and world languages expo, webinars for professionals, and oral proficiency interview assessment workshops. 

3- Discounts on ACTFL products such as books, e-books, language career-focused DVDs, and brochures.

4- Career resources such as ACFTL job central and ACTFL mentoring program.

5- Access to members-only news and information, ACTFL special interest groups and other online community e-groups, and receiving free students’ information kits.

- Who can be an ACTFL member?

Anyone who is a foreign language educator or a foreign language current student can be a member of ACTFL. The fees are varied depending on the category of the member; the range from $29 to $79 per year.

- Can anyone join a more specific group for the language they teach?

ACTFL has many Special Interest Groups (SIGs) to provide continuous networking and information sharing on a specific topic or area of interest to a subset of ACTFL’s overall membership. The Arabic network is one of them which I was able to join for just an extra $5 per year.

For more information about services provided by ACTFL, please visit www.ACTFL.org.