NNELL FOUNDERS

The Founding…

It was November 1986. An ACTFL Conference in Dallas brought them together at a networking session for early language programs. These professionals were lamenting that elementary schools interested in foreign language programs had no network for support. So our Founding Mothers decided to do something about it.  The Center for Applied Linguistics organized and hosted the planning meeting in January, 1987 at CAL’s offices in Washington, D.C.  Twenty-five educators from 16 states met, most of whom came from out of town at their own expense. “It was like a pajama party at my house,” recalled Mimi Met, “and the excitement was palpable.” At the end of the two-day meeting, the National Network for Early Language Learning was born!