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[lolwhites]

Now I know that the English UK accreditation scheme is supposed to be a guarantee for students looking for a course in Britain, but can anyone tell me what these standards actually mean in terms of:

1) Staff qualifications: Can a school be accredited if all staff have a CELTA or do a minimum number need the DELTA or an MA of some kind?

2) Facilities: Is there a minimum standard in terms of up to date materials, working audiovisuals etc?

3) Working conditions: Does it provide any assurance for people applying for work in an accredited school?

If I'm going to recommend that students here in France apply to an accredited school when they study English in the UK, I (and they) will need to know what it actually means.

[Will.]

hi Lol,
It the old story of 'belonging' to an organistaion that is able to call a school 'accredited'. Schools pay for this. Some have it and some don't think worth the money they are required to pay for it.

1) Staff qualifications: Can a school be accredited if all staff have a CELTA or do a minimum number need the DELTA or an MA of some kind?
The British Council has been pushing for this on a 50/50 below and above DELTA for at least 10 years. Take a look at their site

2) Facilities: Is there a minimum standard in terms of up to date materials, working audiovisuals etc?

Who can assess what materials the teachers have at home on their computers?

3) Working conditions: Does it provide any assurance for people applying for work in an accredited school?
It should be a guideline that a school has considered their public image...but this is no guarantee of impartial behaviour or fair and equitable treatment for employees.

If I'm going to recommend that students here in France apply to an accredited school when they study English in the UK, I (and they) will need to know what it actually means.

OISE run a good pre-bac session in English in Nottingham for French teenagers.