printable versions of these documents in pdf format in English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian
The Fédération Internationale des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes, founded in Paris in 1931, is the only international multilingual association of teachers of languages. It has Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) ‘operational relations’ status with UNESCO and has representation as an NGO with the Council of Europe.
| Aims: |
to promote the teaching and learning of living languages in order to facilitate and improve communication, understanding, cooperation and friendly relations between all peoples of the world
to develop, support and promote policies designed to diversify the languages taught, to improve the quality of language teaching and make this teaching available to all
to develop the continuity and cohesion of multilingual education in primary, secondary, further, higher and adult education
to improve the professional training and development of future and practising language teachers in all sectors of education
to help and advise on the founding of professional associations of language teachers
to coordinate and develop the work of its member associations
to encourage members of different language associations in the same country to cooperate with each other to promote the teaching of languages and language policy based on principles of multilingualism
to support nationally and represent internationally the views of member associations
to provide a vehicle of international solidarity for language teachers from different regions of the world
| Members |
Members of FIPLV may be either international unilingual associations or federations of language teachers, or national multilingual associations. Of the former category, there are currently IATEFL and LATEUM for English, ILEI for Esperanto, FIPF for French, IDV for German, SIPLE for Portuguese and MAPRYAL for Russian. There is also provision for associate membership.
Of the second category, national multilingual associations, which unite teachers across languages at the local level, FIPLV has around twenty-five members from all continents.
| Structure |
The supreme authority of FIPLV is the World Assembly, which brings together the representatives of member associations every three years.
The World Council, which is comprised of representatives of the international unilingual associations, Regions of the Federation and national multilingual associations, meets annually.
The
Executive Committee of the
Federation, composed of five officers elected for three years, meets
biannually.
For the triennium of 2007-2009, the officers are:
President - Terry Lamb (UK);
Vice President - Margareta Leoj (Sweden);
Secretary General - Denis Cunningham (Australia);
Treasurer General - Leena Hämäläinen (Finland);
Editor of Publications - Cecilia Odé (Netherlands).
In line with the FIPLV Statutes, FIPLV has undertaken a process of regionalisation which allows more concrete cooperation between neighbouring associations in different areas of the globe. FIPLV also encourages associative relations among teachers of different languages in areas of the globe where it has few members (eg Africa, Asia, Latin America).
| Important activities |
FIPLV organises a world congress every three years. The most recent took place in Göteborg (Sweden) in June 2006. The six preceding events were in Auckland Park (South Africa) in 2003, Paris (France) in 2000, Recife (Brazil) in 1997, Hamburg (Germany) in 1994, Pécs (Hungary) in 1991, and Canberra (Australia) in 1988. The next is to take place in Moscow (Russia) in July 2009.
As an NGO, FIPLV is often consulted by UNESCO. In this context, FIPLV published Language Policies in the World of the 21st Century (1993), a collection of teaching materials to foster tolerance (1994) and Linguapax V (1995), while Linguistic Diversity in the Pacific should be published soon.
Also in collaboration with UNESCO, FIPLV was represented on the relevant committees for Linguapax, the World Languages Report (Words and Worlds), the World Congresses on Language Policies (www.linguapax.org) in 2002 and 2004, and the expert meeting to develop a position paper on languages for UNESCO (Education in a Multilingual World). FIPLV assisted the Australian Federation of Modern Language Teachers Associations to organise the international workshop of Linguapax V in Melbourne (Australia) in 1995 and organised a UNESCO International Conference in Melbourne in 2001.
FIPLV also participated in the international conference of language rights that took place in Bilbao (Spain) in 1996 where the Universal Declaration of Linguistic Rights was adopted - and in another meeting in Barcelona (Spain) to further action on the issue.
| Publications |
FIPLV has its own website (www.fiplv.org) and publishes FIPLV World News two times a year. FIPLV also publishes the proceedings of seminars that it organises, such as Linguapax V and the European Year of Languages 2001. An International Perspective on Language Policies, Practices and Proficiencies appeared in 2005, while a special volume to celebrate the FIPLV 75th anniversary, Languages Teaching: A Worldwide Perspective – Celebrating 75 Years of FIPLV and Language Diversity in the Pacific were published in 2006. It is hoped that the FIPLV History will be published in 2007.
27 October 2007
Denis Cunningham
Fédération Internationale des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes
THE STATUTES
Article 1. The Federation
The Fédération Internationale des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes (FIPLV) is a world Federation of associations of teachers of living languages. It is a non-profit-making, autonomous, independent, non-governmental organisation with consultative status in UNESCO and the Council of Europe.
Article 2. Membership
There are three categories of membership.
2.1 multilingual associations of teachers of living languages,
2.2 international unilingual associations of teachers of languages,
2.3 associate members, to include institutes, language centres and other organisations with a similar philosophy. Member associations are legally and financially autonomous. The conditions of membership are:
2.4 applications for membership are approved by the World Council on the recommendation of the Executive Committee,
2.5 member associations encourage positive attitudes towards different languages, cultures and nations, and do not discriminate against any person on the grounds of colour, race, sex, language, political opinion, creed or religious conviction,
2.6 member associations promote the teaching and learning of living languages,
2.7 membership fees are paid annually.
Article 3. Aims
The aims of the Federation are:
3.1 to promote the teaching and learning of languages in order to facilitate and improve communication, understanding, cooperation, mobility and friendly relations among all peoples of the world,
3.2 to develop, support and promote policies designed to improve the quality of language learning and make language learning available to all,
3.3 to work towards greater opportunities for and the continuity and coherence of multilingual education in primary, secondary, further, higher and adult education,
3.4 to improve the professional training and development of language teachers in all sectors of education,
3.5 to help and advise on the founding of professional associations of teachers of living languages,
3.6 to support, coordinate and develop the work of its member associations,
3.7 to encourage members of different language associations in the same country to cooperate with each other and promote their common concerns on matters relating to the teaching and learning of living languages,
3.8 to support nationally and represent internationally the views of member associations.
Article 4. Functions
In order to achieve its aims the Federation shall:
4.1 act in a consultative role by making its professional advice and expertise available to UNESCO, the Council of Europe and other international organisations which promote the teaching of living languages,
4.2 convey to member associations information on languages and language education emanating from the work of international organisations,
4.3 promote research into the teaching and learning of languages and related disciplines,
4.4 hold world congresses and regional conferences,
4.5 organise international meetings to examine specific issues,
4.6 disseminate information on the teaching and learning of living languages,
4.7 keep member associations informed about the work of other member associations.
Article 5. Internal Language Policy
5.1 Fédération Internationale des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes is the Federation’s official title.
5.2 The Statutes are printed in the official languages of UNESCO and the international unilingual member associations and may be translated into any additional language. In instances of dispute the English version of the Statutes is the sole legal authority.
5.3 At all meetings of the Federation participants have the right to use the languages of their choice. For FIPLV World Congresses at least three official congress languages must be named in advance.
Article 6. The World Assembly
The supreme authority of the Federation is the World Assembly. It may decide on any matter concerning the Federation.
6.1 The World Assembly consists of the Executive Officers, the Regional Representatives and two delegates from each member association.
6.2 The World Assembly meets at least once every three years.
6.3 A special meeting of the World assembly may be called by the Executive Committee on the written request of at least one third of the member associations.
6.4 Each member association excluding associate members has two votes. Executive Officers and Regional Representatives may vote only if delegated by their respective member associations. Votes may be cast by post or by proxy.
6.5 The World Assembly’s specific responsibilities are to:
6.5.1 determine policy,
6.5.2 approve the Election Procedure,
6.5.3 elect the officers of the Executive Committee,
6.5.4 elect the representatives of the multilingual member associations to the World Council,
6.5.5 set the membership fees,
6.5.6 approve the Statutes,
6.5.7 approve the report of the World Council.
Article 7. The World Council
The World Council advises the Executive Officers and the Regions and reports to the World Assembly.
7.1 The World Council consists of:
7.1.1 the Executive Officers,
7.1.2 appointed representatives of the Regions,
7.1.3 elected representatives of multilingual member associations not in a Region,
7.1.4 appointed representatives of the international unilingual member associations.
7.2 The number of votes under 7.1.2, 7.1.3 and 7.1.4 are equal.
7.3 The World Council meets at least once a year.
7.4 At World Council meetings Executive Officers have no vote. The three member categories (as set out in 7.1.2, 7.1.3 and 7.1.4) each have an equal number of votes. The number of votes for each category depends on the number of international unilingual member associations. If, for example, the latter is eight, the total number of votes is 24, which is distributed thus: unilingual and multilingual representatives present at the meeting have one vote; the eight votes are distributed among the Regions according to the number of member associations in the region. The distribution of these votes is done by the World Assembly for the subsequent three-year period.
7.5 The World Council’s specific responsibilities are to:
7.5.1 decide on membership of the Federation,
7.5.2 approve the budget and all financial reports and audited accounts,
7.5.3 decide on the allocation of regional funds,
7.5.4 receive an annual activity
report from the Executive Committee and from each member association or ´
Region,
7.5.5 coordinate the work of the Federation with that of its member associations and of the Regions,
7.5.6 approve the formation, title, grouping and any subsequent modifications of the Regions,
7.5.7 approve all Regulations,
7.5.8 approve the conferment of
the title Honorary FIPLV Counsellor on any individual who has served the
Federation with distinction.
Article 8. The Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is responsible for the continuous pursuit of the aims of the Federation and answerable to the World Assembly. It is empowered to act on any matter not covered by the Statutes and to report such action to the next meeting of the World Council for ratification.
8.1 The President, Vice-President, Secretary-General, Treasurer-General and Editor are elected by the World Assembly. These Officers form the Executive Committee which reports to the World Council.
8.2 The Executive Committee meets at least twice a year.
8.3 Decisions made by the Executive Committee should be by majority vote.
8.4 The Executive Committee’s specific responsibilities are to:
8.4.1 implement policy,
8.4.2 take initiatives to further the aims of the Federation,
8.4.3 maintain regular communications with member associations and the Regions,
8.4.4 coordinate and publicise the activities of the Federation and its members,
8.4.5 recruit new members,
8.4.6 act in a consultative role nationally and internationally,
8.4.7 ensure that the Federation is properly represented,
8.4.8 initiate and develop relations with other international organisations,
8.4.9 ensure proper financial control, management and support.
Article 9. The Regions
A Region is a freely joined group of member associations who wish to co-ordinate their activities in a defined geographical area and formalise this relationship in accordance with these Statutes. Article 9 states the minimal requirements.
9.1 The formation, title, grouping and formal recognition of a Region, and any subsequent modification, is agreed by the member associations concerned and approved by the World Council.
9.2 Each Region organises regular meetings and a Regional Assembly at least every third year.
9.3 Each member association in the Region has the right to vote at the Regional Assembly.
9.4 The Regional Assembly elects at least three officers to its Regional Executive Committee, one of them to act as President.
9.5 The Regional Assembly agrees a mechanism for electing or appointing its representative to the World Council.
9.6 The Regional Assembly adopts regulations for the conduct of its affairs. These are approved by the World Council and may not contravene these Statutes.
9.7 The regions have their own accounts. The Treasurer-General will pay funds approved by the World Council within the limits of the budget.
9.8 The Regional Executive Committee submits annually to the World Council the activity report for the Region and its own audited accounts and financial report.
Article 10. The Election of Officers
10.1 Any individual member of a member association except associate members, as defined under Article 2, may be nominated for election.
10.2 The period of office is three years. Officers may be re-elected but may not serve for more than three consecutive periods in the same office.
10.3 Elections are conducted by secret ballot and in accordance with the approved Election Procedures.
Article 11. Offices
11.1 The Head Office is located in a place approved by the World Council or World Assembly.
11.2 Regional Offices are established or relocated with the approval of the appropriate Regional Assembly.
11.3 FIPLV Offices are subject to the law of the country in which they are located.
Article 12. Finances
12.1 The Federation has a central account into which all membership fees are paid in their entirety.
12.2 The Treasurer-General is in charge of the finances of the Federation within the limits of the budget, which is agreed upon by the World Council annually in advance. The President or another member of the World Council checks the accounts.
12.3 In unexpected circumstances of expenses of more than . . . CHF, the Treasurer-General consults automatically with the President and one other Executive Officer. The Executive Committee at the beginning of its term of office recommends to the World Council what this sum would be.
12.4 The Treasurer-General submits the proposed budget to the World Council in the year preceding the budget year.
12.5 The Treasurer-General submits annually to the Executive Committee and to the World Council the financial report and the audited accounts. Every three years he/she submits the audited accounts and the financial report to the World Assembly for approval.
Article 13. Statutes and Election Procedure
13.1 Any changes to these Statutes or to the Election Procedure must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the World Assembly.
13.2 The Executive Committee must consider proposed amendments at least six months before a meeting of the World Assembly and must notify members at least three months beforehand.
Article 14. Regulations
All Regulations and any subsequent changes must be approved by the World Council.
Article 15. Dissolution
Any proposal to dissolve the Federation must be notified to members at least six months before a meeting of the World Assembly. It must be approved by a two-thirds majority of the World Assembly, which would also decide on the disposal of all remaining assets.
Approved by the FIPLV General
Assembly, Prague, 22 March 1992.
Additional sentence to Article 8 approved by the FIPLV General Assembly,
Hamburg, 14 November 1992.
Amended by the FIPLV World Assembly, Paris, 21 July 2000.
Amended by the FIPLV World Assembly, Auckland Park, 1 July 2003.
Fédération Internationale des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes
ELECTION PROCEDURE
1. Elections are held every three years.
2. The World Assembly elects the
Federal Executive Officers. It also elects the representatives of multilingual
member
associations to the World Council. The number of
persons representing the multilingual associations not in a Region
and of those representing the Regions is equal to the
number of persons representing the international unilingual
member associations. This number may be changed by a
majority vote at the World assembly provided equality of
representation and a balance of power are maintained.
3. The Secretary-General informs
member associations nine months in advance of the election which of the members
of
the Executive Committee and representatives on the
World Council do not wish to be renominated. At the same time
the Secretary-General calls for nominations to be
returned by a fixed date which is no later than six months before
the elections. The list of candidates is sent to
member associations three months before the elections. The
Secretary-General co-ordinates preparations for these
elections with the regional elections.
4. Regional Assemblies elect
their Executive Officers and appoint one representative to the World Council.
The Regional
Executive Committee instructs one of its Officers to
inform the Region at least six months in advance of the names of
those Executive Officers who do not wish to be
renominated, to call for nominations and to send the list of
nominations to members of the Regional Assembly one
month before the elections.
5. Any individual member of a member association may be nominated for election provided the nomination is:
5.1 formally proposed by that member association or by another,
5.2 supported by the candidate’s own association in the latter instance
5.3 accompanied by a signed
declaration of readiness to assume the duties of office if elected and a
summary*
of the candidate’s professional activities.
6. Officers may be re-elected but may not serve for more than three consecutive periods in the same office.
7. Nominations must state the
office for which the candidate is standing. Candidates are also advised to
indicate other
offices for which they would be prepared to
stand.
8. The respective Executive
Committees may nominate candidates for those offices for which no nominations
have been
received by the time of the elections.
9. The respective World or
Regional Assembly elects an Election Committee of three persons to conduct the
election.
These persons do not forfeit their right to vote.
The Election Committee chooses a chairperson from its own
membership.
10. The chairperson of the
respective World or Regional Assembly hands over the entire conduct of the
elections to the
chairperson of the Election Committee.
11. Elections are by secret
ballot. Officers are elected by a majority vote. Where there are three or more
candidates
for one post, a majority vote in favour of one of
these candidates must be clearly established. If no candidate
receives a majority of the votes cast, further
ballots are conducted until a decision is reached by eliminating the
candidate with the least number of votes in each
round. The results of the ballot for each office are declared
before proceeding to the next round.
12. Each member association
excluding associate members has two votes. If a member association cannot
attend,
votes may be sent to the Secretary-General or
Regional Executive in a sealed envelope bearing the name of the
association and marked FIPLV Votes. These should
be set out in order of priority. The envelope may be opened
only by the chairperson of the Election Committee
at the time of the election. The identical procedure must be
followed to inform the chairperson of the
Election Committee which associations are exercising a proxy vote on
behalf of another. A member association may not
register votes by proxy on behalf of more than two other member
associations. The votes are valid only in round
one.
13. Any wish to contest the
election must be declared before the chairperson closes the respective World or
Regional
Assembly. The Assembly declares the election
should be repeated and, if so, in whole or in part.
Approved by the FIPLV General
Assembly, Prague, 22 March 1992.
Amended by the FIPLV World Assembly, Paris, 21 July 2000.
Amended by the FIPLV World Assembly, Auckland Park, 1 July 2003.
Fédération Internationale des Professeurs de Langues Vivantes
REGULATIONS
Regulation 1. Duties of the Executive Officers
In the context of Article 8 of the Statutes, the responsibilities of the specific officers include:
1.1 The President chairs the World
Assembly, World Council and Executive Committee. The President represents the
Federation or arranges for the Federation to be
represented by other Officers.
1.2 The Vice-President deputises
for the President. The Vice-President has the special tasks of promoting the
founding
and development of new associations, finding
sponsors and publicising the work of the Federation.
1.3 The Secretary-General is
responsible for the overall administration of the Federation, the supervision of
Head Office
and liaison with member associations
and the Regions. An assistant secretary may be appointed.
1.4 The Treasurer-General
accounts for the income and expenditure of the Federation and reports to the
Executive,
World Council and World Assembly. The
Treasurer-General notifies member associations at least one month
beforehand that membership fees are due
each year on 30 June.
1.5 The Editor has editorial responsibility for all publications which bear the Federation’s imprint.
Regulation 2. Official Meetings of the Federation
2.1 Meetings of the World
Assembly, World Council, Executive Committee, Regional Assemblies and Regional
Executive
Committee
The Secretary-General and
the Regional Executive Officers ensure that suitable arrangements are made for
these
meetings, that formal invitations and
agenda are received by all observers and committee members three months
before the meeting, and minutes not more
than two months after the meeting.
Executive Committees may co-opt persons for
special tasks and set up working parties.
2.2 Minutes
Minutes should be kept to a minimum and, wherever practicable, record only the decisions taken, a brief explanation, the action required and the persons responsible. The minutes record the languages used.
2.3 Observers
Observer status may be granted to organisations which support the work of the Federation. It is granted by the Federal or Regional Executive Committee. Observers have the right to attend meetings and to speak, but not to vote or hold office.
2.4 The FIPLV World Congress
The World Congress is normally held every three years. The organisation of the Congress is the responsibility of the World Council and the member association which issues the invitation. Ordinary meetings of the World Assembly are normally arranged in conjunction with the World Congress.
2.5 FIPLV Regional Conferences
Regional Conferences are held in order to stimulate and co-ordinate work in a Region. The organisation is the responsibility of the Regional Executive Committee and the member association which issues the invitation. Other Regions should also be invited to be represented.
Regulation 3. Communications
3.1 Regular and reliable
communications are vital for the welfare of the Federation. Member associations
should keep
the FIPLV President and the Secretary-General
informed of any change to their official and email address, telephone
and fax numbers and of the identity, address,
telephone and fax numbers and email addresses of their official FIPLV
Representative.
3.2 Under the direction of the
Secretary-General, Head Office will request these details annually from member
associations and return to them a comprehensive
list of the information collected and of the names, addresses,
telephone and fax numbers and email addresses of
all FIPLV Officers.
3.3 Member associations are
entitled to print the acronym, full title and/or statement of membership of the
Federation
on their official stationery and other official
documents, journals and publications.
Regulation 4. Honorary FIPLV Counsellors
4.1 The World Council may confer
the title of Honorary FIPLV Counsellor on any person who has served the
Federation
with distinction.
4.2 A proposal must be supported
by three Federal or Regional Executive Officers and three member associations.
A
statement justifying the proposal must be
included. The title can be conferred only by a two-thirds majority vote of
those present at the World Council. The proposal
is passed to the World Council through any Federal or Regional
Executive Officer.
4.3 The former titles of
Honorary FIPLV President and Honorary Member of the FIPLV Executive
are retained for those
persons on whom they have been conferred
earlier.
4.4 Persons on whom these titles
have been conferred may be asked to perform special tasks on behalf of the
Federation. They are kept informed about
the Federation’s activities.
Regulation 5. Finance
5.1 Expenses incurred by FIPLV
Officers shall be reimbursed by the Treasurer-General or Regional Treasurers.
The
annual expenses for each Officer must not
exceed the budget allowance unless special approval is given by the
Treasurer-General and the President or, in
the case of the Regional Officers, by the Regional Treasurer and a
second Regional Officer. Expenses normally
include the cost of travel and maintenance while away from home on
FIPLV business and of telephone, fax, email
and postage.
5.2 25% of all profits arising
directly from any meetings or projects organised in the name of the Federation
or its
Regions must be paid to the Federation.
Regulation 6. Membership Fees
6.1 Membership fees are paid annually into the Federation’s account.
6.2 They are set by the World Assembly and must be paid by 30 June each year.
6.3 There are three grades of
membership fees for multilingual members: (1) 250,00 CHF for associations with
up to 312
members (minimum rate); (2) 0.80
CHF per capita for associations with members from 313 to 2500
member
(differentiated rate based on the number of
individual members); (3) 2.000,00 CHF for associations with more than
2500 members (fixed rate)
6.4 The membership fee for unilingual associations is 350,00 CHF (fixed rate)
6.5 The membership fee for associate members is 250,00 CHF (fixed rate)
6.6 The annual rate for sponsorship of the FIPLV Website is 200,00 CHF (fixed rate)
6.7 Member associations which
cannot afford to pay their membership fee in a particular year must submit a
copy of
their accounts or an official
statement to the Treasurer-General before 30 June. The Treasurer-General may as
a
result recommend to the Executive
Committee that payment be reduced or waived for the year or postponed.
6.8 Member associations faced
with prolonged hardship may, with the Treasurer-General’s approval, pay a
reduced fee
over a fixed period or have their fee
paid by another member or other source.
Approved by the FIPLV General
Assembly, Prague, 22 March 1992.
Amended by the FIPLV World Assembly, Paris, 21 July 2000.
Amended by the FIPLV World Assembly, Auckland Park, 1 July 2003.
Amended by the FIPLV World Council, Brussels, 1 October 2004 (ie Regulations
only)
A global network of support for language professionals
FIPLV exists for the worldwide support, development and promotion of languages through professional associations. We are active in over 100 countries and cover several hundred thousand teachers of languages worldwide.
Our membership
international unilingual associations such as FIPF (French), IATEFL, LATEUM and TESOL (English), IDV (German), ILEI (Esperanto), MAPRYAL (Russian) and SIPLE (Portuguese)
national multilingual associations such as AFMLTA (Australia), ALL (UK), ANILS (Italy), ASEC (Bulgaria), CASLT (Canada), FMF (Germany), FNAPLV (Portugal), FUPL (Uruguay), ITE (Ireland), KMF (Czech Republic), LALT (Latvia), LMS (Norway), LMS (Sweden), MANYE (Hungary), MLAN (Nigeria), MLTASL (Sri Lanka), NZALT (New Zealand), PTN (Poland), RALMLT (Russia), SAALT (South Africa), STIL (Iceland), SUKOL (Finland), VLLT (Netherlands)
FIPLV Regions, bringing together local members of international unilingual and national multilingual associations
What we do
contribute to the professional development of language teachers
collect and disseminate the latest international research to our member associations
campaign on issues of concern - eg class sizes, less commonly taught languages
enable professional associations of language teachers worldwide to learn from each other
represent language teachers internationally through their national and international associations
represent UNESCO, where requested, on Linguapax, language policy, language rights, endangered languages and related matters
What we believe
languages enhance both individual and national potential
there is no single global recipe for good language teaching
we can all learn from each other
ideas are for sharing and information should be a ‘free good’
all languages and their speakers deserve equal respect
language diversity is essential to the human heritage
each and every language embodies the unique cultural wisdom of a people
the loss of a language is a loss for all humanity
What we want in future is to
impact more significantly on individual teachers
foster and increase links between associations of language teachers
help our colleagues in countries where working conditions leave a great deal to be desired
create links with international humanitarian, industrial and business communities
If your business involves languages, we have something to talk about.
8 December 2003
(Original text in English by Denis Cunningham, Judith Hamilton and others)
What Do Associations Gain from Membership?
An association of language teachers differs totally from any other professional association of teachers in that it is inconceivable without international links. In an age of increasing globalisation where communication is more and more influenced by rapid technological advances, it is important to be able to draw on the knowledge, experience, support and friendship of colleagues in other countries. As the language curriculum in some countries may have become, in the view of many, increasingly limited and instrumental, access to other ways of thinking and seeing the world becomes more, not less, essential. While teachers of languages need input from fellow professionals overseas, and to feel a sense of belonging to a network of colleagues “beyond their own backyard”, teachers in other countries rely on the experiences of their colleagues, for example, to inform and extend their own practice and expertise. The international dimension is, in short, a sine qua non of a language association.
FIPLV is unique in that it is the only organisation bringing together teachers of different languages worldwide. The benefits of membership are many and varied, and some appear more valuable at times than others. They are perhaps felt most keenly when concrete activities bring individual members of associations together with a common purpose, such as at the Symposium on Language Teaching and Peace in Graz in 1998.
The following is a synthesis of the benefits of membership as seen by members of the FIPLV Executive. The numbering is purely for convenience and does not indicate any particular priority.
1 Participation
membership of the only internationally recognised Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) representing language educators, which brings together eight other international associations of language teachers
membership of an international forum of language educators
possibility of hosting and attending international conferences or events of other member associations
scope to contribute at an international level
membership of FIPLV Regions and involvement in their activities
input and access to surveys on language teaching at the international level
2 Networking
links with UNESCO through FIPLV’s ‘operational relations’ status
links with major international unilingual associations through FIPLV (ie FIPF, IATEFL, IDV, ILEI, LATEUM, MAPRYAL, SIPLE, TESOL)
liaison with other international associations (eg AILA, FIT, etc.)
international collegiality enabling discussions with teachers from many parts of the world
establishing international linkages to further personal growth
identifying colleagues internationally who can assist you in your own teaching
creating contacts for your students for postal, video, CD-ROM, email, etc, exchange
establishing networks through Project participation (eg ECP in Europe, Linguapax Workshop in Graz, etc.)
3 Projects
involvement in UNESCO projects (eg Tolerance, Linguapax, World Languages Report, Language Rights, endangered languages, etc)
participation in FIPLV Projects (eg Professional Development, the Teaching Profession, etc)
membership of ECP Projects (in Europe)
4 Advocacy
access to international speakers to promote a cause (eg French Teacher Symposium in Israel)
support for improved conditions (eg smaller class sizes in Portugal)
support for and from international forums enhancing the intrinsic aims of language teaching (eg peace)
support for and from international forums combating undesirable elements of humanity (eg racism, intolerance, ethnocentrism, etc)
5 Learning
problem-solving at the international level
discovering new ways to promote the teaching and learning of your language(s)
potential for personal growth through FIPLV publications and activities
access to ongoing professional development internationally
6 Professional Development: Conferences, Workshops and other Activities
access to triennial and multilingual international congresses addressing the needs of teachers
access to international speakers at the cutting edge in the field of language teaching
access to international workshops organised by FIPLV (eg Linguapax Workshops Melbourne and in Graz, etc)
7 Publications
receipt of FIPLV publications (eg FIPLV World News, Linguapax V, Project reports, etc)
access to content of publications on other member associations through FIPLV World News and FIPLV website
possibility of contributing to FIPLV publications
8 Information
details of FIPLV World Congresses and those of international unilingual associations
details of other conferences which impinge upon language teaching
access to state-of-the-art details of movements within the profession
access to information contained in the FIPLV Website (www.fiplv.org)
email contact details of many associations and educators on an international level
potential to distribute information received to international membership of national associations
9 Concessions
reduced registration fees for individual members of member associations of FIPLV
reduced membership fees for those experiencing financial hardship
consideration in the context of solidarity and potential support from other members
potential sponsorship for participation in FIPLV activities
10 Inspiration
access to global horizons
access to new ideas for implementation in personal environments
27 February 2005
(Original text in English by Denis Cunningham, Judith Hamilton and others)
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