Providing a timely and much-needed resource on LTAs, the book helps readers recognize the importance and nature of teachers' professional development, while also contributing to the process of educational change. In order to achieve a suitable level of educational and policy change, a research base for LTAs is called for. This book represents a step in the right direction, introducing readers to essential research on the central role of LTAs in language teachers' development.

Although pre-service and in-service education programs, to be found at government and/or private institutions, are of great value, it is impossible to prepare teachers for all the challenges they will face throughout their careers. In response, many professional associations also provide a wide range of professional development activities for their teacher members. The book will be of interest to language teachers, graduate students, teacher educators and researchers, educational leaders and policymakers, as well as teacher associations.

Inhalt
Part I: The History and Structure of Language Teacher Associations (LTAs).- The History of Language Teacher Associations.- Examining the Organizational Structure of LTAs: A Report on Strategic Direction and Functionality.- Realities and Potential: English Language Teacher Associations in the 21st Century.- Language Teacher Associations that Learn.- Engaging Future Professionals: How Language Teacher Associations Facilitate the Involvement of Student Members.- Part II: LTAs Forms of Professional Development.- Teacher Development Through Teacher Associations: Lessons from Africa.- Killing Two Birds with One Stone: SPELT's Professional Development Programs.- Developing Communities of Practice Through Language Associations in Oman.- The Empirical Alignment of Language Teacher Associations Conference Themes to Research Agendas: An Investigation of TESOL International and IATEFL.- Part III: Collaboration between and within LTAs.- The Impact of a Special Interest Group on Assessment Literacy.- Professional Development in Low Resource Environments: The Role of Africa TESOL, TESOL France, and IATEFL GISIG.- Bringing Language Teacher Associations Together.- Strengthening South Asian LTAs Networking and Challenges.- Part IV: Personal, Professional and Leadership Development.- Developing Leadership Capacity through Leadership Learning Opportunities.- Leadership Emergence within MEXTESOL.- Leadership, Mentoring and Transformation in English Language Teacher Associations: A Tripartite Dialogue.- Emotional Intelligence Growth through Volunteering with Language Teaching Associations.- Formalizing Language Teacher Associations Leadership Development.- Opportunities for Leadership Development in the Service of Teaching Associations.- Representativeness and Development of Leaders in Korea TESOL.- The Impact of LTA Volunteerism on Leadership and Management Development: An Autoenthnographic Reflection.- Balancing Personal Responsibilities with Association Altruism: Three Professional Development Histories in LTAs.