The professionalization of a teacher association with special reference to English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in Venezuela

This thesis proposes a conceptual and operational framework for the professionalization of the Venezuelan Association of Teachers of Foreign Languages for Specific Purposes (AVEPLEFE--'Asociacion Venezolana de Profesores de Lenguas Extranjeras con Fines Especificos') in order to make it a more effective instrument for the professional development of ESP practitioners. A related purpose is to determine how the ESP profession can better serve the national development of Venezuela.;The research design chosen is qualitative and naturalistic, and relies on inductive analysis and archival research. Researcher introspection is also used since the author has been involved in the association since 1988. Semi-structured interviews and examination of formal and informal written documents contribute methodological triangulation.;The research design involved: (1) examining the local background of the problem and the status of ESP in the developing world; (2) analyzing theoretical works on the nature and functioning of professional associations and documentation from existing professional associations; (3) constructing an inventory of desirable characteristics of successful ESP professional associations; and (4) searching for models and techniques that would take AVEPLEFE from its current state to a state similar to that implied in the inventory.;As a result, the thesis proposes a social intelligence system model as a conceptual base for interpreting the applicability of different features from the inventory to the case of AVEPLEFE. The thesis then proposes a project management approach and a project brief technique as operational bases for the elaboration and subsequent implementation of a strategic plan for the professionalization of AVEPLEFE.