Academic alliances, local cooperative groups of teachers of languages and literatures at all levels, meet regularly to discuss current developments in language teaching, explore particular problems and find solutions to them, and help faculty take responsibility for their intellectual and professional lives. Membership can range from 20 to 100 professionals in several or many institutions. Despite the diverse needs, concerns, and composition of individual alliances, each works for the mutual professional development of its membership and the promotion of foreign language and literature education. They have coordinated and implemented a variety of programs, including short immersion programs, visits by native speakers, exchanges of teaching techniques and materials, exploration of new technologies and resources, teacher fellowships, community awareness and support efforts, and initiatives for state program improvement. New alliances continue to form, while more established groups undertake more ambitious projects. Steps in forming alliances include identifying interested faculty, establishing a steering committee, establishing a collaborative group, and holding meetings for discussion and elaboration. Administrator participation can be crucial to an alliance's success by providing logistical and material support and incentives for participation. A variety of resources are available for forming alliances. (MSE)