The aim of the FELTOM Accreditation Scheme is to ensure quality standards in all areas of EFL services. Such standards are designed to reflect modern developments in the EFL market, both globally and locally, and to provide an objective mechanism whereby these criteria can be checked and maintained for both new and existing member schools.
The Accreditation Scheme covers a number of key areas which play an important role in the provision of a quality service.
- Premises and environment – classrooms, reception and leisure areas, staff areas and other facilities.
- Teaching and learning – minimum qualifications for Directors of Studies and teaching staff.
- Advertising and Promotion – accurate and up-to-date information on websites and promotional material about the services being provided.
- Student Welfare – student welfare monitoring, administrative checks on accommodation provision, leisure activities, student feedback and a redress mechanism.
The accreditation process is handled by an independent Accreditation Council. The members of the Council currently are: Prof. Mark Borg (Chairman), Ing. Nicholas Baldacchino and Mr. Andrew Mangion (President of FELTOM) – the latter provides a link between the Executive Board and the Accreditation Council. Applications are vetted by the Accreditation Council before inspections of schools are carried out by a team of specially appointed independent inspectors. Inspectors draft a report on each school and present it to the Accreditation Council for consideration. Schools may only become fully accredited once the Accreditation Council is assured that all accreditation criteria have been met.
Accreditation lasts for 3 years, after which time schools must be re-inspected. Should the need arise, the Accreditation Council may carry out interim inspections during an accreditation period.
Should the Accreditation Council decide that an organisation does not meet the necessary criteria for accreditation, there is a process of appeal to an independent Accreditation Appeals Board.
All FELTOM schools holding full membership status have successfully completed the process needed to become accredited members of FELTOM. All 16 schools offering year round courses have undergone the rigorous inspection process needed to gain accreditation. Any school aspiring to FELTOM membership must successfully complete the accreditation process before being admitted to membership of the Federation.
Any additional premises used by FELTOM member schools must meet the standards outlined in the FELTOM Accreditation Scheme.
The fully accredited schools are:
am Language Studio | Chamber College | Clubclass Residential Language School | Easy School of Languages | EC Malta | English Communication School | English Language Academy |European School of English (ESE) | GVMalta | Inlingua | Institute of English Language Studies | International House Malta-Gozo | Linguatime | Link School of English | Magister Academy | NSTS-ELI | Sprachcaffe Languages Plus