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Language Schools in the UK
Sue Coulthard ARELS 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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