Alan Dobson and Jim McElwee are the first to be nominated for and receive a NALA Fellowship. This is in recognition for and appreciation of their long-standing support and dedication to NALA over many years.
Alan Dobson – NALA Fellow 2025
Alan has been and continues to be a passionate advocate of all languages. Although his first language is Spanish, he continues to promote the learning of all languages and is a respected scholar in and beyond the languages’ community.
During his career, he has spent 20 years as HMI for languages and the most recent 20 years as a consultant both independently and for a range of organisations, including National and International language programmes. He was for many years the UK representative on Council of Europe and European Union Languages policy groups.
We consider ourselves very fortunate that Alan continues to support and provide guidance to NALA. Thank you, Alan, for your many years on the Executive including as President and Chair.
Dr Jim McElwee – NALA Fellow 2025
Jim is a very talented linguist, speaking so many languages fluently and like a native. He currently resides in France where he continues to be involved in a range of language support roles.
Jim has been a member of NALA since its creation over 50 years ago and continues to be a valued friend and colleague despite the distance. Jim worked on the NALA grammar resource with David Moss and a number of NALA colleagues, investing his excellent knowledge of language and providing a keen eye for detail.
Jim has worked in a number of key UK organisations, including CiLT and subsequently CfBT, again ensuring that language teachers and learners were supported with high quality guidance and resources.
Jim is a trusted and valued member of NALA, always ready with an entertaining anecdote of his time working in education and beyond. Thank you, Jim for your unwavering support for NALA and for your time leading and guiding NALA over the years.
