Examining the organizational structure of language teacher associations: A report on strategic direction and functionality

Language Teacher Associations (LTAs) represent the enhancement of the quality of language teaching practices all over the world. They achieve their mission through organizing professional development events, establishing special interest groups, and supporting their members through publications and scholarships. Most of the LTAs serve as volunteer and charity organizations, and their emergence and evolvement depend on the contributions and involvement of their member groups. So, this chapter was written primarily to inform the LTA members who wish to become more familiar with LTAs’ organizational framework and grasp both internal and external dynamics that impact LTAs’ functionality. The chapter opens with a broad discussion of the factors that would shape LTAs’ strategic direction. Then, it provides an overview of language organizations’ structural framework with reference to several of the specific local, regional and international associations. Written descriptively, this chapter could also serve as a guide for the members of the ELT community who wish to set up a new language organization with the aim of advocating language teaching and learning activities.