QALEN members enjoyed a highly successful 2019 Symposium this November, held in the excellent British Council facility in Manchester. Hosted by the Accreditation Body for Language Services (ABLS) and Accreditation UK, the event further developed the collaboration of the world’s leading English language quality assurance bodies on a number of major projects.
‘This year’s symposium really helped us make progress in understanding the global benefits of working together’ commented Diana Lowe, ABLS Chief Executive. Liz McLaren, Manager of Accreditation UK, agreed, noting ‘it was not only a great opportunity to learn from one another but the team identified opportunities for further collaboration which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on our respective accreditation schemes.’
QALEN’s commitment to promote and develop quality assurance in global English language teaching underpinned discussions on a range of issues faced by members. This year’s significant opportunities and challenges included:
the impact of online delivery of teacher education and the changing nature of EL delivery on current teaching qualification requirements,
review of processes for handling new applicants for accreditation and association,
consideration of current risk management processes, and
the ELT sector’s response to climate change.
A number of initiatives were authorised including a major project to evidence the impact and value of quality assurance across the global ELT industry. Members will also review and improve their own quality assurance practice via an innovative peer moderation process.
In attendance:
- ABLS – the Accreditation Body for Language Services (UK)
- Accreditation UK
- EduSA – Education South Africa
- English New Zealand
- FELTOM – the Federation of English Language Teaching Organizations Malta
- Languages Canada and Orion Assessment Services (both Canada)
- NEAS – the National ELT Accreditation Scheme (Australia)
Further information
QALEN is the Quality Assurance of Language Education Network and works to improve and develop quality assurance across the global ELT industry.
Full information is available at qalen.org