Becoming an EAQUALS Accredited Member
1. Which institutions can become Accredited members of EAQUALS?
- Accredited membership of EAQUALS is open to any organisation providing foreign language education
and training, irrespective of the language(s) offered or whether the organisation is privately
owned or in the public sector. Organisations providing language training to company employees
are also eligible.
2. What are the advantages of EAQUALS membership?
- Participation in a process of quality assurance which helps schools to develop.
- Permission to use a name and logo which are credible guarantee of quality for clients and students.
- Presence on the EAQUALS website and in the 'Find a Language Course' section
- Access to information on leading-edge developments in language education, especially in relation to European developments in the field.
- Belonging to an international network of excellent language schools, and attending regular meetings and conferences.
- Opportunities to use the EAQUALS/ALTE version of the European Language Portfolio (at a reduced price).
- Recognition of EAQUALS certificates in certain countries.
3. Who recognizes EAQUALS membership and accreditation?
- EAQUALS has an increasingly important profile in Europe. For example, EAQUALS schools are recognized by the Swedish Board of Higher Education for the allocation of study abroad loans and grants. In Italy, the Projetto Lingue 2000 gives credit for courses at EAQUALS schools as additions to courses taken at school and in higher education. In Switzerland, a number of companies require in-company language teaching to be provided by EAQUALS member schools only.
4. How do institutions become members of EAQUALS?
- All applicants for membership are required to undergo an EAQUALS inspection. Prior to inspection, you need to submit an application for EAQUALS membership using the Membership Application Form.
- On the form you are asked to specify a date when an inspection by EAQUALS would be convenient. Inspections normally take two or three months to organise.
- The inspection relates closely to the EAQUALS Code of Practice and Charters, and aims to verify that the school is able to comply in full with these. It is therefore important to look carefully at these documents before deciding whether to apply for membership.
- When we receive your application, you will be sent the full Guide to EAQUALS Inspections, which details the criteria, the requirements and the inspection process - see the Inspection Scheme.
5. Can EAQUALS help us to prepare for an inspection?
- Yes, on request, EAQUALS can arrange an advisory visit to your school prior to the inspection. This can help to identify any areas where work may need to be done in order to attain the necessary standard. The visit is carried out by one experienced inspector and lasts for one day. We strongly recommend such an advisory visit prior to your inspection.
6. What happens after the inspection?
- About three weeks after the inspection you will receive a detailed report, which includes clear recommendations even when the inspection is successful. You have the opportunity to comment on the report. Then you receive a letter with the result of the inspection. Where the school does not meet the standard in one or more areas, requirements are specified. The school is then given a period of time (usually six months) to attain the required standard.
- After a successful inspection, and on payment of an entry fee and the annual membership fee, the school is admitted as a Full Member of EAQUALS and receives the Membership Pack and an entry on the website. Members can be admitted at any time. From July on, the membership fee for that calendar year is reduced by 50%.
7. How much does it all cost?
8. What are a member institution's responsibilities towards EAQUALS?
- Institutions have to undergo an initial inspection, repeated every three years, and demonstrate that all the 'promises' in the Code of Practice and the Charters are respected. They are expected to take part in the activities of the Association, to participate in meetings, to provide inspectors if invited to do this, and to promote EAQUALS at a local level. In the case of a complaint which is submitted to the EAQUALS Ombudsman, they must accept his/her decision.
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