Professional Organizations
National Language Specific / State Language AssociationOrganization Name / AATSP (American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese)
http://www.aatsp.org / FLANC (Foreign Language Association of North Carolina)
http://www.flanc.org
Mission / “Since its inception in 1917, the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) has promoted the study and teaching of Hispanic, Luso-Brazilian, and other related languages, literatures, and cultures at all educational levels. Through an exchange of pedagogical and scholarly information, the AATSP encourages heritage and second-language study and supports projects to that end.”
(from http://www.aatsp.org) / Promotes foreign language teaching and acts as a resource for foreign language educators in the state of North Carolina. Focuses on the importance of world language education.
Membership requirements / Regular: general category – teachers and other interested parties
Students: undergraduate and full-time graduate students not to exceed a total of three (3) years
Life: regular members for 40 consecutive years; also available for purchase
Emeritus: regular member for 30 consecutive years and retired
Honorary: invited and accepted by vote of the Association
(taken directly from http://www.aatsp.org) / teacher of any level of foreign language
$ / Regular: $60
New: $30
Student: $25
Life: $1800 (or no cost after 40 consecutive years) / $20
member benefits / Dues are tax deductible and include membership in local chapter and Hispania
Access to job postings, instructional aids, member newsletter, forum, scholarships / receives publication (Catalyst)
professional development opportunities and major events / forums, professional meetings (ex. Salamanca, Spain), publications (Hispania, Enlace), professional development programs (summer immersion classes with financial aid), / publication (Catalyst), regional workshops, resources, scholarships, awards, annual grants, mini grants, CEU credits at workshops,
my professional growth / This organization would be beneficial for me to join because I could recieve their publication Hispania free with membership. This would keep me up to date on new findings in research regarding foreign language in general that I can then apply to my current teaching methods and philosophies. Also a great choice for integrating the newest research into my lesson plans and standard course of study. / This association would act as an excellent resource for teaching through their workshops and whatever other resources they provide. I could earn CEU credits as well as better myself as a teacher for the benefit of my students while interacting with other professionals in my state who are working under the same standard course of study.