Mechanics of writing I: Association and Societies

The English Association is a subject association for people passionate about English literature, language, and creative writing. We bring together individuals and organisations from all sectors of education and all areas of English studies. Through our publications, events, and networks, we promote dialogue, distribute knowledge, and defend the discipline.

Our website is the home of our community. Members can log in to access to all our online content: join us today and explore English Studies from early years education to higher education and beyond.

The National Association for Teaching of English is an independent, non-funded, not-for-profit educational charity that provides publications and training for English teachers at all key stages. For almost 60 years, NATE has provided English teachers with a platform to share their expertise and have a voice on issues that affect their practice. Through its campaigning, research and successful partnerships, NATE continues to defend and promote the subject, whilst providing support and enrichment for English teachers and the young people they work with.

Founded in 1896 the English Literary Association is one of the oldest clubs at the College. The club aims to develop the skills required to facilitate the advancement and progress of English Literature and the language as a whole within the student populous. Ultimately the club undertakes various workshops and conferences in order to create a generation of eloquent speakers.

The Queen’s English Society is a membership organisation that exists to promote good English and the enjoyment of English.
The stated objects of the society are “to promote the maintenance, knowledge, understanding, development and appreciation of the English language as used both in speech and in writing; to educate the public in its correct and elegant usage; and to discourage the intrusion of anything detrimental to clarity or euphony.” The phrase “the queen’s (or king’s) English” has been used for centuries simply to imply spoken or written English which is characterised by grammatical correctness and proper usage of words and expressions. The phrase does not mean English necessarily modelled on the usage of the reigning British monarch.
The society welcomes people from anywhere in the world with an interest in excellence in the use of English. Although there are variations in vocabulary, particularly in the use of particular nouns in different locations, clarity in use of grammatical construction is an important aspiration of all who want to communicate clearly with one another.
The society strongly advocates the formal teaching of English in schools and the need for all teachers of all subjects to correct students' English. The society lobbies politicians and makes representations to the media about standards of English usage. The society’s commitment to good standards does not preclude the acceptance of English as an evolving language, but some changes are better than others.
There are regular branch and society meetings, often with a guest speaker. The society awards an annual prize for excellent English. Members receive the society's journal, Quest, which is published quarterly.
“Grammar, properly understood, enables us, not only to express our meaning fully and clearly, but so to express it as to enable us to defy the ingenuity of man to give our words any other meaning than that which we ourselves intend them to express.”