| Reasons |
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Networking benefits a language program in the following ways:
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| Relevance |
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You can help insure that a language program is relevant to the users of the language by networking with broad sections of the community to find out |
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- what purposes the development of the local language may serve, and
- how such an enterprise is best carried out.
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| Permission |
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You can enhance your ability to gain the required permissions for a language program if you are networking with authorities in positions to authorize or prohibit such programs. |
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| Tip:
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Those in positions of authority who understand the rationale and goals of a language program are more likely to look at the program with favor.
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| Promotion |
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You can promote the language program through networking by seeking to increase the level of local |
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moral support (the implied or explicit support of those who are not closely involved, but are in a position to permit or inhibit the language program)
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ownership (the conviction among community leaders and members that the language program is relevant, worthwhile, and appropriate)
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responsibility (the willingness to assume the direction and control of the language program), and
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involvement (the active participation of community members in the day-to-day activities of the program).
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| Resources |
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You can identify personnel and funding resources through networking by |
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- making known the need for suitable personnel and involving community leaders in identifying potential trainees
- identifying local sources of finance, and
- encouraging cooperation with agencies able to provide financial support and, possibly, consultant and training help.
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| Credibility |
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As you establish relationships through networking at the local level, you can enhance the credibility of the language program by |
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- improving the visibility of the program and those involved in it, and
- sharing how the program will be of genuine help in meeting particular community needs.
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| Expanded opportunities |
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You will see expanded opportunities for the use of local language literacy as |
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- the local community understands and accepts the underlying vision of the program, and
- national and international organizations--governmental and nongovernmental--become interested and begin to apply the principles of local language literacy more widely.
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| Example:
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Development areas such as health or women's issues
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