What is ALLEF?

ALLEF (UK) is a non-profit making organisation supported by active volunteers made up of members whose children are, or have participated, in an exchange. As a Company Limited by Guarantee (and having no share capital), its governing document precludes any dividends or remuneration to its Directors. It is, therefore, truly a voluntary organisation dedicated to enabling quality exchanges.

How do you become a member of ALLEF?

Families awaiting an exchange are automatically Associate Members becoming Full Members once their exchange starts. Any full member is eligible to stand for election to the Board of Directors at an Annual General Meeting of members.

What is a local rep?

A system of local representatives (all of whom are parents who have completed an exchange) underpin the organisation throughout Great Britain. The local rep is a geographically accessible person who, above all, can visit an applicant family in their own home when they are applying for an exchange and keep in contact with the family for its duration. They are the family's friend and support in the organisation during the exchange.

What is an exchange coordinator?

This is an ALLEF member who is fluent in at least one other language who will interview all families in the UK, France and Germany and be involved in the matching process.

What else does the organisation do?

Contact is maintained between members by newsletter and the Annual General Meeting, which is more a social than a formal occasion. Children who have completed an exchange are known as graduates. All graduates are offered the chance to attend at least one graduates weekend, where team-building activities are combined with a certain amount of debriefing. Many graduates make long-term friends at these meetings, and look forward to keeping in touch with each other later. We would like to think that ALLEF does not just end with the exchange, and we are very appreciative of the families who go on to help support other exchanges, either as local representatives or as board members afterwards.

Which European organizations are ALLEF involved with?

In France the organization is called "Apprendre Les Langues En Famille" (ALLEF), in Germany it is called "En Famille Deutschland e.V.", both voluntary non commercial associations.