In this month’s Associates in Action, we are putting the spotlight on QUEST Romania, one of Eaquals’ longest-standing Associate Members. With nearly three decades of experience, QUEST continues to support quality in language education across Romania by bringing educators, institutions, and partners together to share good practice, promote clear standards, and strengthen the professional community.

A Local Initiative with an International Perspective

QUEST Romania was founded in 1996 by a group of language school leaders who wanted to create a national platform for quality assurance in language education. The founding members recognised the importance of consistent standards and professional development for teachers and trainers.

From the beginning, QUEST focused on building a culture of reflection and collaboration, rather than simply compliance. Today, the association has sixteen active Associate Members offering courses and teacher training in a wide range of languages.

Partnership with Eaquals

QUEST joined Eaquals in 1998, driven by the desire to be part of a wider international community and to align its work with recognised quality frameworks. The partnership opened new doors, including access to expert-led events, publications, and networks. QUEST participated in Eaquals conferences, where they gained valuable insights and later invited international speakers to contribute to their own national events.

One of the most influential steps in QUEST’s development was its promotion of the Eaquals–ALTE European Language Portfolio (ELP), which introduced Romanian schools and educators to learner self-assessment, curriculum alignment with the CEFR, and a more learner-centred teaching approach. QUEST introduced the ELP as a practical tool to help teachers improve their work, shape national education initiatives, and help students better understand and take ownership of their own learning.

Supporting the Language Education Community

Over the years, QUEST Romania has been involved in a wide range of activities aimed at improving both practice and policy in language education. These include:

• Organising national conferences and workshops that bring together teachers, academic managers, and researchers to share practical ideas and reflect on current challenges in the classroom
• Collaborating with the Romanian Ministry of Education and other public institutions to support teacher development and quality assurance at a national level
• Participating in European initiatives including ECML and EU-funded programmes that promote blended learning, digital tools, language teaching for young learners, and language skills for employability
• Running teacher development and mentoring programmes in cooperation with universities, where QUEST has helped integrate key concepts such as the CEFR and self-assessment tools
• Working with cultural institutes and professional associations to strengthen multilingualism and promote consistent standards across different languages and sectors

QUEST has also led and contributed to several national and international projects that have received recognition, such as the European Label. Many of these projects focused on practical improvements for classrooms and teacher training.

Practical Advice for Educators and Institutions

As part of their work, QUEST often shares practical advice based on their experience working with both teachers and institutions. Here are some of the key recommendations they offer:

• Partner with local and international organisations to increase access to training, resources, and shared learning opportunities
• Encourage learners to take an active role in their progress through reflection, goal setting, and self-assessment
• Use European and Council of Europe programmes to explore new approaches, access expert input, and connect with networks of educators working on similar challenges
• Support teachers in carrying out classroom-based research or reflective teaching projects to improve practice in a realistic and sustainable way
• Make sure the outcomes of local or institutional projects are shared within professional communities, both nationally and internationally, to benefit others and build stronger practice overall

This advice reflects QUEST’s belief that improving quality in education is not only about formal structures, but also about creating space for professional dialogue and learning from each other.

How Eaquals Members Can Engage with QUEST

Eaquals members can connect with QUEST Romania through a number of ongoing initiatives. These include:

• Discounted access to QUEST conferences and events
• The opportunity to co-host regional events and webinars, either online or in-person
• Visibility through speaking opportunities, case studies, and panel discussions
• Collaboration on research or development projects with QUEST members and partner institutions

Looking Ahead

QUEST Romania is currently focused on expanding its reach and continuing to provide meaningful support to its members and partners. Future plans include:

• Opening its annual events to educators from neighbouring countries to promote regional collaboration
• Supporting small-scale classroom research in member schools, including publication opportunities for teachers
• Revising its organisational structure to reflect recent developments
• Refreshing its public image through a redesigned website that highlights member activities, projects, and opportunities

These steps are all aimed at making QUEST more accessible, more connected, and more responsive to the needs of today’s educators.

A Steady and Thoughtful Approach

QUEST Romania shows how a professional association can make a lasting contribution by staying closely connected to the realities of the classroom and building strong, purposeful partnerships. Its approach has been thoughtful and consistent, focusing on collaboration, clear priorities, and a shared belief in the value of quality teaching and learning.

In an education landscape that’s constantly evolving, QUEST remains focused on what has lasting impact: teachers who are supported in their development, learners who are actively involved in their progress, and institutions that are open to learning from one another.