Khawar Malik
#GLAD24 at somos: free access for 15 teachers of minoritized languages 🚀
note: this competition is now closed!
🤯 tl;dr - fast facts
- 🎁 to celebrate #GLAD24, we're giving away up to 15 pro (annual) subscriptions for teachers of minoritized languages (worth $240 each)! unlock the full potential of your language teaching with somos.
- ℹ️ by "minoritized languages," we refer to languages that may be marginalized, persecuted, repressed, or even banned in certain contexts. during the application process, we'll ask you to share your specific context.
- 👇🏾 find out everything you need to know below!
🌍 #GLAD24: no justice without language rights
somos is a proud member of the global coalition of language rights, a network of organisations and individuals working at the intersection of language, digital and human rights.
for the last two years, the coalition and its members have marked global advocacy language day ("GLAD" - 22 february) with a series of events advocating for language rights and linguistic justice around the world.
this year, #GLAD24 will be a global event, uniting language rights advocates, activists, and organizations in a coordinated effort to raise awareness and ignite meaningful conversations about the crucial importance of language rights.
the theme for #GLAD24 is no justice without language rights, emphasizing the profound impact language rights have on our lives and communities.
Language rights are at the heart of a just and equitable society. They empower individuals and communities, preserve cultural heritage, and promote inclusivity. In a world where language is a fundamental part of our identity, denying language rights can have serious consequences. Our core message remains unchanged: Language Rights For All People!
language rights are central to our mission at somos and we're excited to launch our #GLAD24 giveaway to help mark the campaign!
let's dig in and find out more...
🚀 somos + #GLAD24: launching our first teaching product whilst prioritising language & worker rights
since launching somos at the end of 2021, we've been trying to slowly (but surely!) build an organisation with social justice embedded into every aspect of who we are and how we're run.
so far we've...
- 🌟 launched our hiring scheme for refugees in limbo, making our first entry-level hires in september 2022.
- 🤝 welcomed the amazing conversation over borders as our first community shareholder as part of our unique co-ownership scheme for grassroots organisations.
- created a co-ownership scheme for language teachers who use the platform. co-owners not customers!
what's next
come march 2024, we'll be launching our first revenue generating product for language teachers!
language teachers will be able to create, sell and teach 1:1 classes, monthly subscriptions and give access to patreon-style communities hosted on our platform.
our aim is to offer affordable options for language teachers to run their businesses online whilst also providing long-term security in the form of shared ownership.
as we launch our product, we're inviting teachers of minoritized languages to be among the first to experience what somos has to offer through our #GLAD24 giveaway!
we want to do more than launch a product; we want to set a precedent for supporting minoritized languages from day one by gifting 🚀 15 pro subscriptions (our best deal) for free!!
curious about what the giveaway includes? let's find out!
🎁 what's included in our #GLAD24 giveaway…
what you get with a free 🚀 pro subscription...
- ✅ free marketing website/teacher profile
- ✅ create, sell and teach 1:1 language classes
- ✅ 0% somos commission on any sales
- ✅ subscription fees ($240) waived for 1 year. no obligation to continue.
- ✅ eligibility for our co-ownership scheme
things to be aware of...
- 🔁 each free subscription is initially for a year, but we're open to discussing extensions on a case-by-case basis, in partnership with the educator involved.
- ✊🏾 the offer is for everyone but we’d love primarily to work with educators who support the broad mission of the coalition.
- 💚 1% of all sales made on our platform goes to our impact fund. this charge will apply to giveaway winners too.
- 💳 we use stripe for payment processing (necessary for making sales), with charges ranging from approximately 1.5% to 3.8% per transaction, depending on the customer's location. these fees go directly to stripe.
- 📚 to take advantage of the giveaway, you'll need to create an account with us. for common FAQs, check out our before you join guide.
- ℹ️ by "minoritized languages," we refer to languages that may be marginalized, persecuted, repressed, or even banned in certain contexts. during the application process, we'll ask you to share your specific context.
✊🏾 #GLAD24 - connect with the movement
our campaign at somos is just one tiny part of #GLAD24 this year!
dive into the full lineup of events at the dedicated site but here are a few highlights we're especially excited about: 👇🏾
the african languages conference (21 to 28 feb)
- this event is a pivotal platform for language activists, scholars, linguists, educators, and enthusiasts to converge, exchange ideas, and foster collaborations aimed at promoting the rich tapestry of African languages.
- this year’s conference has 20 sessions, most of which will be held in african indigenous languages.
- the sessions will be in Wolof, Zulu, Twi, Yoruba, Kiswahili, Sheng’, Igbo, Nigerian Pidgin English, French and English.
linguistic refoulement: exploring the intersection between language and asylum
- katie becker's blog post explores the concept of "linguistic refoulement" in the U.S. asylum system, particularly affecting Indigenous-language speakers.
- becker argues that the lack of language-access protections leads to the return of vulnerable individuals to dangerous situations, shedding light on systemic failures and the struggles faced by indigenous asylum seekers.
we're curious to hear about your favorites!
share the #GLAD24 events and moments that inspire you. use the #GLAD24 hashtag and tag us to let us in on your experiences and thoughts.
let's amplify the conversation around language rights together! 🌍
what is somos? 🤔
somos is a creator platform that helps language teachers build an online storefront in a matter of minutes! 🚀
host your community, 1:1 classes, digital products, group language clubs, and even external links - all in one place for one affordable fee.
we don't charge commission so you can launch & grow your business without giving away your earnings. 💚
why should i switch to somos? 🧐
our mantra at somos is to help you teach, earn & live well. this means:
- helping you keep your earnings: as a teacher-first platform, we don’t charge commission. your only charges are: payment processing fees to stripe + a 1% donation to our impact fund. somos charges 0% on transactions.
- giving you the tools to teach creatively:
- online marketplaces have pushed 1:1 classes as the primary way of teaching.
- we want you to have the ability to offer private coaching but as part of a rounded product suite that allows you to not only diversify your income streams but engage students creatively in a range of ways!
- treating you like co-owners, not customers: somos offers language teachers co-ownership opportunities and has a community ownership programme for grassroots organisations along with a unique entry-level hiring programme in place for refugees living in limbo.
why shouldn’t i switch to somos? 🙀
if you prefer to focus solely on teaching without worrying about marketing, a marketplace model like italki, preply or verbling might suit you better.
- these platforms often promote teachers based on algorithms, which can mean less control over how you're discovered but also less effort required on your part to attract students.
- somos is not a traditional marketplace - we don't directly find students for you but do support your growth by providing strategies to effectively share your somos profile across various social media platforms.
if you're just starting out, a commission only model might work better than a pay monthly - but do get in touch when you find your feet!
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