Choosing a Quality
Language School in the UK
There are estimated to be more than 1000 organisations
in the UK that provide language courses for international
students. From such a choice, it can be difficult to identify
the organisations that guarantee quality standards for their
customers. Simon Freeman, Deputy Chief Executive of the Association
of Recognised English Language Services (ARELS), explains
the benefits of selecting an ARELS member school.
ARELS Membership & Services
The Association was formed in 1960 by a group of far-sighted
English Language Teaching (ELT) providers, who recognised
the need for a young profession to associate on a national
level. From these very small beginnings, the Association has
grown to a membership of 215 organisations from the private
sector, providing a complete range of ELT services to the
world. These organisations include small, family-owned schools,
medium sized schools, large UK-based chains of schools, and
schools that belong to global chains of institutions operating
in a number of English-speaking countries. The range of service
provided spans the following:
· courses for juniors from as young as six years old;
· courses for teenagers with homestay and residential
accommodation;
· General English courses for young adults;
· examination courses preparing for internationally
recognised examination (such as Cambridge First Certificate);
· University preparation courses, including preparation
for IELTS examinations;
· courses for pre-service and in-service professionals,
and business executives.
There are ARELS member schools situated throughout the UK,
offering quiet countryside locations or London city-centres
sites, with all destinations in between.
Accreditation
In partnership with the British Council and BASELT, ARELS
manages the English in Britain Accreditation Scheme. The aim
of the Scheme is 'to protect international students studying
or planning to study English as a foreign language in the
UK, by offering access to a range of services which meet agreed
quality standards.' Members of the Scheme are rigorously inspected
and re-inspected, currently on a three-year cycle, to ensure
that the standards of provision are satisfactorily maintained.
The individual standards are:
Management. 'The management of the organisation will operate
effectively and responsibly, in accordance with its publicity
and to the benefit of its students.'
Resources and Environment: 'The resources and environment
will support and enhance the studies of students enrolled
with the organisation.'
Teaching and Learning: 'Programmes of learning will be managed
to the benefit of students; teachers will be professionally
prepared and given appropriate support to ensure that their
teaching meets the needs of the students.'
Welfare: 'The needs of students for information, leisure
activities, pastoral care and security will be met; any accommodation
provided will be suitable, and the management of the accommodation
systems will work to the benefit of students.'
It is an essential condition of membership of the Association
of Recognised English Language Services that members are accredited
by the English in Britain Scheme.
Value Added
In addition to satisfying the requirements of the English
in Britain Accreditation Scheme, the Association and its members
are involved in a wide range of activities that enhance the
experience of international students taking their courses
in the UK. These include:
· provision of products and services to facilitate
a study programme in the UK including insurance, banking,
help in selecting the right school, advice on which examinations
are available, and where to buy study materials;
· involvement through lobbying activities in the formulation
of government policy on issues that affect the international
student coming to the UK - for example, acquisition of the
appropriate visa;
· regular meetings in a national forum to discuss issues
and devise policies to further improve the educational experience
of international students in member schools;
· an ongoing training programme for all levels of staff
in member schools, to ensure that that the skills and services
available to international customers are of the highest standard.
Guarantees
ARELS members work to a Code of Practice that provides a
range of guarantees. These go beyond the minimum guarantee
represented by English in Britain Accreditation, and ensure
that:
· complaints are taken seriously and resolved to the
satisfaction of the student, who has access to an independent
ombudsman as part of the investigation procedure;
· teaching is of the highest standard; extensive training
programmes improve the standards of member schools;
· courses are designed around the student's age, country
of origin and level of English;
· schools listen to their students and act on recommendations;
· all publicity materials describe the school and its
services accurately;
· accommodation is carefully and regularly checked;
· special care is taken to protect very young learners;
· homestay providers accept only one speaker/language
into their homes, undertake to help students continue with
their studies, and respect students' different cultural backgrounds.
These guarantees are only available to international students
who book courses with ARELS member schools.
Further Information
For more information on ARELS and its member schools please
contact us at:
The Association of Recognised English Language Services (ARELS)
56 Buckingham Gate
London SW1E 6AG
Telephone: 020 7802 9200
Email: enquiries@arels.org.uk
Web: www.arels.org.uk
Author
Sue Coulthard
Marketing & Promotions Manager
ARELS
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