FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
General
1. Who accredits EAQUALS?
EAQUALS awards accreditation as an independent accreditation body and is not, therefore, accredited by others. It contributes to the Council of Europe projects, and is sometimes consulted by the European Commission on matters related to language education. EAQUALS has been granted Participatory Status by the Council of Europe.
2. How does EAQUALS relate to the International Standards Organisation (ISO) and the Comité Européen de Normalisation (CEN)?
ISO is a general system of quality assurance, which emphasizes quality assurance procedures; EAQUALS is (a) an association with professional activities and (b) specifically concerned with language education, assessing the quality of teaching and academic management as well as procedures. A number of EAQUALS members have also obtained ISO or other quality certifications and consider them to be complementary. CEN has set up minimum standards for language travel, which were drafted with EAQUALS participation in the Working Group. EAQUALS accreditation is directed to identifying and certifying excellence. EAQUALS has also observer status on two ISO technical committees.
3. Who recognises EAQUALS accreditation?
EAQUALS has an increasingly important profile in Europe. For example, EAQUALS schools are recognized by CSN - the Swedish Board of Higher Education for the allocation of study abroad loans and grants. In Italy, the Progetto Lingue 2000 gives credit to EAQUALS courses as additions to school and higher education. In Switzerland, a number of companies require EAQUALS certification for in-company language teaching.
4. What are an institution’s responsibilities in relation to EAQUALS?
Institutions have to undergo an initial inspection, repeated every three years, and demonstrate that all the requirements of the EAQUALS Charters are respected. Any significant change within the three-year period should be reported to EAQUALS. They are expected to take part in the activities of the Association, to participate in meetings, to promote EAQUALS internationally and at a local level.
5. What happens if there is a complaint against an EAQUALS member by a student or a member of staff?
There are five stages:
1. The complaint must first go through the institution’s own complaints procedure
2. When this is exhausted, a written complaint to EAQUALS can be made to EAQUALS on a standard form
3. EAQUALS attempts to mediate between the institution and the person making the complaint
4. EAQUALS may carry out a spot-check at the institution if deemed necessary
5. If mediation is not successful, the complaint will be passed on to the EAQUALS independent Ombudsman, whose decision is final.
1. Who are the inspectors?
EAQUALS inspectors are professionals with considerable managerial and international professional experience, who have completed the EAQUALS inspector training scheme. Over half of the inspections are carried out by independent freelance inspectors, all of whom have experience in academic management. The other inspectors are practising managers in EAQUALS schools. The professional profile of inspectors is sent to the inspected institution before the inspection.
2. Are inspectors informed about local conditions?
Inspection teams are international, with at least one having experience and a good knowledge of local conditions. EAQUALS Country Notes provide specific and detailed information and support the inspectors’ work.
3. How are inspectors chosen?
They apply to become an inspector. Their application is vetted by a selection committee, and once accepted they have to complete the EAQUALS inspection training scheme, which includes on-the-job training.
4. Can a school veto the choice of an inspector?
Schools can request that an alternative inspector be found, for example if there have been previous contacts with the proposed inspector related to employment or inspection by another body, such that s/he might be perceived as not impartial.
5. Who inspects inspectors?
The EAQUALS Accreditation Panel supervises the good running of the inspection scheme, which includes supervision of the inspectors.
Inspections
1. Is the inspection scheme only for Europe?
Schools outside Europe can apply (and have already applied). Different inspection fees apply for countries outside Europe.
2. Can any type of school apply?
Yes, though it must be big enough to have systems and activities that can be inspected.
3. How long is an inspection?
Normally two days, with two inspectors. A large school may have a longer inspection – three or four days.
4. When are inspections carried out?
Every three years, unless there is a serious complaint or a significant change in ownership, management, premises, or any other significant change, when a follow-up visit might be required. At least every other inspection is organised at the peak time for the institution.
5. How much will it cost?
The scheme is cost-covering and the inspection fee covers the cost of inspectors’ travel and the cost of fees for inspectors. Inspectors’ hotel accommodation and their per diem allowance are paid by the institution being inspected. The inspection fee is defined by the annual budget of the Association and has to be approved by the AGM of the organisation.
6. What does the scheme cover? What is looked at?
The inspection scheme covers everything related to services to course participants (teaching, academic management and resources, plus other services such as accommodation and leisure programmes). It also covers: staff conditions and contracts, qualifications, experience, and human resources management. The information in brochures and on websites is checked for completeness and accuracy, and inspectors verify whether the institution’s management can demonstrate their respect for legality, fair dealing and proper care for health and safety.
7. When will an institution find out if it has met EAQUALS criteria?
Normally within six weeks of the inspection – sometimes longer if the result is contested or there is a need to clarify certain issues.
8. Will an institution get feedback?
There is final feedback session with management at the end of the inspection. The written report is very comprehensive and lists any requirements needed to meet EAQUALS standards. It also includes recommendations about improvements to be considered. The inspection is of an institution, not of individuals, so no individual feedback is given on class observation or interviews and meetings.
9. What will course participants and staff be asked during an inspection?
The guidelines for the focus groups are described in detail in the Guide to the Inspection Scheme.
The Guide to the Inspection Scheme and Country Notes are available from the EAQUALS Secretariat once a membership application has been filed with EAQUALS.
10. Will anyone find out what has been said during an inspection?
The inspection is confidential – inspectors will not inform anyone of the results of the inspection and will return or destroy any documents from the school.
11. What happens if an institution fails to meet EAQUALS standards?
EAQUALS is always ready to offer assistance with training or consultancy to help the institution meet EAQUALS standards. EAQUALS does not use the word “fail” – but states the school does not meet the standards enshrined in the Charters at the time of the inspection. If an institution is referred in one or more areas, they have to undergo a follow-up inspection within a given time.
12. Is it sufficient to comply only with local legal requirements?
Compliance with local legal requirements is a minimum; if they are below the standards of EAQUALS Charters, then the latter will apply.
13. Does EAQUALS accept local requirements for teachers’ qualifications?
Assessment of teachers’ qualifications takes account of what is feasible in the country, and for the language concerned; it also assesses whether the combination of staff qualifications, experience and training enable the school to meet EAQUALS international standards. Click here for the EAQUALS Charters EN DE
14. How can prospective members find out whether compliance with the laws of their country (premises/fire/health/safety/ employment)is sufficient to gain EAQUALS accreditation ?
By comparing the EAQUALS Charters with the relevant country notes and their knowledge of national legislation. The EAQUALS Inspection Scheme Manual and Country Notes are available from the EAQUALS Secretariat once a membership application has been filed with EAQUALS.
15. Due to language limitations, how reliable is the EAQUALS check on school documentation and legality?
EAQUALS aims to make sure that either the members of the inspection team or an outside consultant can check these.
16. How does EAQUALS benchmark an area of excellence? Is it objectively attainable?
The criteria for benchmarking areas of excellence are included in The EAQUALS Inspection Scheme Manual . The EAQUALS Inspection Scheme Manual is available from the EAQUALS Secretariat once a membership application has been filed with EAQUALS.
Download the Flowchart for the EAQUALS inspections
Academic issues
1. What is inspected in terms of curriculum and syllabus?
The school needs to have a coherent system of course delivery – an overall curriculum stating objectives and approach, within a clear framework of levels linked to the Common European Framework of Reference
• syllabuses or descriptions of the different courses;
• instruments such as schemes of work,
• lesson plans for planning classes;
• assessment and certification procedures.
• a system of quality assurance including class observation and ways of getting feedback from students.
• means of assuring that staff and course participants are all aware of the above.
2. What is the difference between curriculum, syllabus and schemes of work?
• curriculum – an overall description of objectives, , including a framework of levels that is linked to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference, and a general statement of means used to achieve these objectives
• syllabus – a document specifying appropriate course content, aims and learning outcomes for each level (e.g. through description of courses); statements of content to be covered in a certain period of time, and specifications of what language knowledge and skills will be covered at what level
• schemes of work (prepared by the teacher, or more than one teacher working on a course) are means of describing in more detail the learning-teaching content within the overall syllabus for a shorter period of time, e.g. a week or month. They aim at ensuring that the syllabus plan is implemented in a structured and timely manner.
3. How is teaching assessed?
By sampling in class observation all the different kinds of teaching taking place in 15 to 20 minute visits. Teachers must provide lesson plans and schemes of work so that lessons can be seen in context. Inspectors look at evidence of clear objectives, of good class management and phasing of lessons. They check whether the approach corresponds to what the prospectus says, the coverage of a variety of skills, the use of media and resources. They judge teaching performance in general, not the work of the individual teacher.
4. How is it decided what quality is in relation to methodology? Is a particular approach/method favoured?
No particular methodology is favoured or excluded, but it must correspond to what the school states in its curriculum and publicity, must facilitate effective language learning, and respect learner individuality.
5. What guarantees does EAQUALS accreditation give teachers about academic management at the school?
Teachers joining an EAQUALS certified school are guaranteed a coherent system of course delivery and procedures for observation and staff training.
6. What does EAQUALS membership mean in terms of teachers’ professional development?
The EAQUALS inspection requires schools to demonstrate arrangements for general quality improvement in the schools and for specific professional development, with opportunities for training both inside and outside the institution.
7. How does EAQUALS membership affect teachers? What does it mean for them?
Teachers are provided with continuous professional support and are expected to deliver high professional standards within a clear framework of academic management with adequate teaching resources?
8. What implications are there for teacher employment, qualifications, minimum condition/pay, and length of employment?
EAQUALS accreditation means a guarantee of fair terms and conditions in the context of the country/region. The EAQUALS Staff Charter lays down the obligations of accredited schools towards their staff.
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