Associations/professional organisations
Association for Language Learning (ALL)
Membership organisation for language teaching professionals, with local groupings.
Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services
Supporting careers advisory services throughout the UK.
Association of Translation Companies
Professional organisation representing the interests of translation companies, and serving the needs of translation purchasers.
Association of University Language Centres (AULC)
The Association of University Language Centres is an organisation for all staff working in higher education language departments and centres in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It has a special focus on supporting modular study of languages in higher education.
International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC)
AIIC is the only worldwide association for conference interpreters. Founded in 1953, it brings together more than 2600 professional conference interpreters in over 80 countries. The association aims to represent the profession as a whole and to act on behalf of all conference interpreters.
A non-political, non-profit making organisation, owned and directed by its members, democratically accountable to over 135,000 businesses of all sizes and sectors throughout the UK.
The UK's international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations.
CILT, the National Centre for Languages
Support for language teaching professionals throughout the country, co-ordinated by CILT, the National Centre for Languages.
Council for Advancement of Communication with Deaf People
A registered charity that is raising standards of communication between deaf and hearing people.
An independent educational charity which aims to advance the education of the public, and young persons in particular, in lifelong career-related learning for all.
The DCSF Teachernet website gives up-dates on the Pathfinder projects which are designed to develop and share good practice in language learning.
A not-for-profit, employer-led organisation, bringing together employers, educators and government, to unite them on a common, employer-led agenda for action on skills.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
UK government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom abroad.
School governors and parent-teacher organisations also offer advice and can be contacted through the school and through dedicated websites like Governornet.
Membership body for professional careers advisers and information for contacting your local practitioner.
Chartered Institute of Linguists
Serves the interests of professional linguists throughout the world and acts as a respected language assessment and accredited awarding body.
Institute of Translation and Interpreting
Professional association of practising translators and interpreters in the UK. The ITI can supply factsheets on getting started in both translation and interpreting, for download from their website.
International Association of Conference Interpreters
World-wide association of conference interpreters.
A European Community programme which aims to support national training strategies through funding a range of transnational partnership projects.
From 2010, all Key Stage 2 students will have an entitlement to learn a foreign language. To find out more about Early Language Learning and continuation from primary to secondary school, go to NACELL’s website.
The umbrella organisation and national voice for 126 Education Business Partnerships working in the 11 regions in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.
NIACE is the leading non-governmental organisation for adult learning in England and Wales and actively involved in supporting adult language learning.
The National Open College Network (NOCN) is the UK's foremost provider of accreditation services for adult learning. NOCN is a recognised national qualification awarding body and is the central organisation for 28 Open College Networks (OCNs) based across the UK.
Supported by the government, this site provides information, advice and guidance on a child’s learning, as well as a magazine.
The Sector Skills Council for the Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism industries, ensuring that the skills employers need are the skills they get.
Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)
Curriculum planning and best practice information can be found on the QCA website.
These networks work locally to bring together employers, education providers, providers of language services and individuals, with the support of government partners. They are supported and co-ordinated by CILT.
Science Engineering Manufacturing Technology Alliance (SEMTA)
The Sector Skills Council for the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing technologies.
Skills Council for Financial Services
This Sector Skills Council provides strategic leadership for training, education and workforce development in the Financial Services industry.
Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies
The Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies (LLAS) is a publicly funded organisation which provides professional support for staff across the UK teaching in higher education in the areas of LLAS. Advice can also be provided on employability for students of languages.
Training and Development Agency for Schools
Public body designated with securing an effective school workforce that improves children’s life chances.
The central organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges and provides a course search including information on fees, bursaries and other financial support.
UK Trade and Investment (UKTI)
A UK government organisation, helping UK companies do business abroad - and overseas companies do business in the UK.
University Council of Modern Languages (UCML)
The University Council of Modern Languages (UCML) works to support the development of languages in Higher Education.
Workers Educational Association (WEA)
The WEA runs a general programme, a community programme and also a programme designed for women.