QUALITY is a concept that all educators strive for, investing time and energy to achieve it. Most teachers pursue excellence with determination, and quality is the term that dominates their efforts. Does it serve its purpose—or does it fall short? It does serve its purpose, but not in a linear way. On the contrary, it is a complex and dynamic process. What makes it so demanding, however, is the ongoing pursuit teachers dedicate themselves to throughout their careers—and rightly so.
It is not only teachers but also Foreign Language Schools (FLS) that can embrace quality-driven approaches to enhance every aspect of their institutions. If you are part of this field and are looking to get on track to cultivate a culture of quality, there are specific standards that correspond to the varied activities of an FLS. These are not intended as a simple checklist of conditions but rather as a guide to ensure that your Language Education Centre aligns with the recognised indicators of compliance—or even excellence—beyond the minimum standards.
Of course, each educator may have a different perception of what quality teaching and learning means. Yet, there are systems designed to accredit high standards of teaching and ensure clear learning opportunities for every student. Whether or not an institution follows specific teaching approaches, the best classroom practices demonstrate a balance between focus and learning objectives that reflects the institution’s broader educational philosophy.
Adopting EAQUALS or QLS indicators of quality is widely recognized as the most reliable way to ensure a commitment to high standards, as these are firmly rooted in well-established accreditation schemes. These frameworks confirm that:
- your centre is successful in meeting its own objectives and internationally recognised standards
- your academic programmes are principled and effective
EAQUALS has become a global leader in language education, promoting excellence through leadership, guidance, and support for institutions and educators alike. Their Quality Assurance Scheme is far more than a mere accreditation system; it aims to make a meaningful contribution to the continuous improvement of the organizations they inspect. Their inspection reports serve as a detailed blueprint for further development, helping institutions grow and evolve.
QLS, as an Associate Member of EAQUALS, fully shares this commitment to quality. Actively participating in EAQUALS projects, QLS brings extensive professional expertise to its network. It represents a group of independent institutions united by a shared vision: achieving excellence across all aspects of their language schools. Through its quality assurance framework, QLS supports good schools in becoming even better—helping them preserve their individual identity while adopting best practices in teaching and learning.
For more insights, Dr. Panagiota Bourtsoukli will be delivering a presentation on “Ensuring Quality Teaching in FLS” at the ELT Forum on March 30.
