Useful Organisations No.34

The United Kingdom Literacy Association (UKLA)

Website: www.ukla.org

The United Kingdom Reading Association (UKRA) has recently changed its name to the United Kingdom Literacy Association (UKLA). This change reflects the increasing breadth of literacy experiences encountered in the modern world. The UKRA won an international reputation for involvement in the promotion of literacy for all. Our new title reflects our concern with making personal meaning from and through texts in a wide range of media. UKLA will also continue to place imaginative literature at the centre of teaching in order to engage and sustain the learner’s sense of what the written word can do and what the world means. The new UKLA will build on the success and reputation of UKRA and continue to offer professionals access to prestigious speakers and rich inset, through a stimulating conference schedule at regional, national and international levels. UKLA is actively engaged in a number of projects in collaboration with such groups as QCA and the Teacher Training Agency. This keeps us at the forefront of educational debate. In addition to its two journals UKLA also has a flourishing catalogue of its own publications, designed to give teachers and researchers access to a wealth of ideas and practice. This name change has come at an exciting time when educators are involved in the process of helping students to understand the increasing world of multi media. As ever UKLA will rise to meet this challenge.