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Welcome! Here's how we help you keep changing the world with your words:

WORDS (of course!)

COMMUNITY | LEARNING | BELONGING

  • Online classes: In personal, professional and craft development—all solidly grounded in TLA principles. 
  • Certificate in TLA Foundations: Deepen your facilitation skills, build a network of TLA practitioners. 
  • Power of Words Conference (virtual in 2026!)
  • Free community events (2026 schedule coming soon!)

MEMBER BENEFITS

  • Transformative Language Arts Resources Databasecurated books, podcasts, literary magazines, organizations, training programs, and practitioners out there doing good TLA work.
  • Regular discounts and special member-only sales on class and conference registration costs.
  • Submit your work to our Substack more frequently. 

CURRENTLY ENROLLING

OPEN CALLS

CLASSES
  • Spring Break Term—up to four week run length between April 29 and June 2, 2026—open for single-session workshop proposals only through Feb. 14, 2026.
  • Summer Term—up to eight week run length between June 4 and July 28, 2026)—proposals open through March 19, 2026.
  • Summer Break Term—up to four week run length between July 29 and Sept. 1, 2026—proposals open through April 13, 2026
  • Fall 1 Termup to eight week run length between Sept. 2 and Oct. 27, 2026—proposals open through June 18, 2026
  • Fall 2 Term—up to six week run length between Oct. 28 and Dec. 15, 2026—proposals open through Aug. 14, 2026 (No classes the week of Nov. 26.)

SUBSTACK: Rolling submissions. Posts published 1st and 3rd Wednesdays every month. 

Learn


While it's true any writing workshop might help us to see ourselves or the world differently, classes at TLAN are designed and facilitated specifically to be spaces where using language to invite transformation is the point. 

Grow


Certificate in TLA Foundations

The TLAF Certificate is an introduction to the principles and practice of TLA with opportunities for reflecting and acting on ethical work and sound facilitation, community networking, and how you can make TLA an integral part of your life and work.

Through the program you will enhance your:

  • Knowledge of the theory, ethics, and practice of TLA

  • Personal and professional TLA practice

  • Skills in course design and facilitation

  • Creative and critical writing ability

  • Skills in thoughtful discussion and feedback

  • Connection to a community of compassionate changemakers

To learn more, visit our Certificate in TLA Foundations page.


Teach


Experienced Transformative Language Artists Welcome! 

We actively seek classes on a variety of TLA genres – writing, storytelling, theatre-making, expressive arts, etc., as well as mixed-mediums (such as storytelling and writing) – and on a variety of topics, such as health and healing, social transformation, right livelihood, engaged spirituality, and ecological literacy.

We envision our online classes as one way we can support TLArtists making a living and creating work of meaning that serves their community.

For more information, visit our Teach For the Network page.


Community


Why become a TLAN member?

These are people who gather in a circle to sing, to express their learning, to acknowledge their calling. These are people who use words, who guide others to use words, to find the wisdom that connects and overcomes and moves forward. About the TLA Network—yes, these are my people. For the first time in my life I felt neither superior nor inferior (as an incapable, unlearned woman in a “man's world") but equal. Self-judgement had no place here. And I know, more than ever, that I must write. Not just my columns which help pay the bills, but words that come from a place of deeper knowledge and yearning. I must continue to research the importance of this work and I must help spread that word.” 

—Joanna Tebbs Young

Learn more about TLAN membership

Support


Help us grow, deepen, and expand Transformative Language Arts in the world.

The TLA Network serves as a supportive community of thoughtful and engaged practitioners, activists, health professionals, educators, artists, change-makers and community leaders dedicated to making the world a better place.

As a non-profit, the TLA Network relies on memberships, event registrations, and contributions from individuals like you to support our programming.

Did you know you can make a donation in honor of, or in memoriam for someone you love? Just look for that option on the donation form. It's a lovely way to honor someone who appreciates gifts with a meaningful impact. 

Donate to the TLA Network

Congratulations 2025 Transformative Language Arts Award Winners!

HUGE thanks to our Power of Words 2025 Sponsors & Underwriters!

The TLA Network exists to support and promote individuals and organizations that use the spoken, written, or sung word as a tool for personal and community transformation.

The Transformative Language Arts Network (TLAN) is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in our offerings, organization, and aspirations. Words have the power to question, subvert, and transform limiting cultural narratives as well as reinforce entrenched stories and stereotypes. The TLA Network wants to make clear that we celebrate and uplift conversations across identity and difference, whether rooted in race, religion, social class, ethnicity, disability, health, gender, sexual orientation, age, military service, and other identities. 


Access our policies: Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use


The Transformative Language Arts Network is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization

1741 Valley Forge Road, #175, Worcester, PA 19490 | [email protected]

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