Accreditation For Centres Offering English Language Courses In The Uk

There are over 430 accredited centres where you can learn English in the UK. Any centre that teaches the language has to be accredited by Accreditation UK. This is an accreditation scheme that is run by the British Council in conjunction with the National Association of Accredited English Language Centres. All language related courses taught in these centres have to be reviewed annually and inspected after every four years.
Some of the standards required for these schools include:

-Teaching Management.
-Course Provisions.
-Resources for Students.
-Learning Environment for teachers and students.
-Overall Learning and Teaching standards.
-Welfare, Support and Student Services.

Any language school you choose to go to must have the standards listed above. The individual centres are legally required to maintain the listed standards for all their programs. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) frequently conducts independent audits to ensure conformity to the set standards. Accredited Institutes and language centres must therefore provide language education, awards and qualifications to acceptable levels.

Some language centres provide English language courses both in the UK and abroad. The QAA has developed a code of conduct for these institutions also. This is to ensure students get the same quality of education, resources and support as they would from studying in England.

Accreditation is vital to ensure the English language curriculum conforms for all learning institutions. Even independent schools are subjected to the rigorous accreditation and review process although in a different capacity. Such schools are members of the Independent Schools Council of the UK (ISC). They are regularly inspected and supervised by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). This is meant to ensure they also maintain the high standards required of all language schools in England.

Even the schools that are not registered under the ISC are subject to inspection. Such assessments are conducted by the Office for Standards in Education, Childrens Services and Skills (OFSTED). Those that are based in Scotland are inspected and reviewed by Her Majestys Inspectorate of Education (HMIE).

This is done with the view to bring the schools to acceptable standards of education based on the following:

-Standards of Education required.
-Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of students
-Health, Safety and Welfare of the Students
-Student Premises and Accommodation requirements
-Teaching resources and handling of student complaints

All in all, institutions offering language courses in the UK are all subjected to thorough scrutiny by the relevant authorities. Whether they are top level Colleges and Universities or English Summer schools, stringent rules and regulations must be adhered to so that students can get the best from the institution.