ACELS

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ACELS - THE ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE S CHOOLS LTD

Regulations Governing the Recognition of Organisations for the Teachingof English as a Foreign Language 2010

1. The recognition of organisations is granted on an annual basis by the Department ofEducation and Science on the recommendation of the Advisory Council for EnglishLanguage Schools Ltd.

2. Before making a recommendation to the Department, it shall be the policy of theCouncil to carry out a full inspection of the organisation on a mutually agreed date. Ifthe organisation is found to be satisfactory, the Council will recommend recognitionto the Department. In the event of an unsuccessful inspection, an organisation mayrequest a follow-up inspection when outstanding issues have been addressed. Thetiming for this will be at the discretion of the Council. Existing schools will beinspected at the discretion of the Council and at least once within a three-year period.

3. Organisations must seek recognition/renewal of recognition for all EFL centres.Applications for renewal of recognition must be submitted on the official applicationform by 29 May 2009. New applications can be submitted at any time. Theappropriate fee must accompany each application. Fees for the current year are:*€870 per organisation operating 11 classes (or more) in the main centre plus€280 for each additional centre;*€520 per organisation operating 10 classes (or less) in the main centre plus €280for each additional centre;*€520 for multi-centred organisations operating a total of 10 classes (or less);€300 full inspection fee (1 inspector); €600 full inspection fee (2 inspectors);€220 follow-up inspection fee;Appeal to independent moderator (fee to be agreed in advance).*When calculating the number of classes, include morning, afternoon andevening classes (see Annex 4).NOTE : Application fees are non-refundable.

4. In order that the Council can advise the Department that an organisation be givenofficial recognition, the organisaion must satisfy the Council :

a) that all premises used by the organisation comply with the Schedule ofRequired Standards enclosed - overflow premises must be adjacent to thecentre for which recognition is being sought and must comply with therelevant clauses in the Schedule of Required Standards;

b) that adequate public and employer liability insurance cover is in place;

Detalhes da Certificação ACELS - Na Irlanda

c) that all health and safety legislation is complied with and that safetystatements and logs are available;

d) that all obligations in the area of employment legislation are complied with;e) that the immigration requirements for students laid down by the Immigration

Authorities (see Department of Justice website - www.justice.ie) are adheredto;

f) that the course(s) provided are educationally sound and have contentappropriate to their stated objectives within a documented framework (seeAnnex 1);

g) that placement procedures are educationally sound and that students are placedin class according to competence and age;

h) that the courses reflect Irish life and culture where appropriate;i) that a complete schedule of supervised activities forms an essential part of the

course(s) for junior programmes;j) that satisfactory quality standards in regard to management, staffing and

administration set out in Annex 1 (attached) are met, and that theorganisation’s premises meets the Schedule of Required Standards forSchools;

k) that all teachers have:(i) a third – level qualification at minimum Level 7 (e.g. Ordinary degree) onthe National Qualifications Framework;

(ii) an ACELS recognised TEFL qualification (see Annex 2)l) that those with academic management responsibilities e.g. directors of studies should meet the minimum teacher requirements above (k) – this applies to recruitment post 1 January 2004;m) that arrangements are in place for teacher induction and that on-going teacher development is provided;n) that each centre has a person with appropriate skills, experience and

qualifications in the field of academic management to deal with the needs ofthe curriculum, and that this person is accessible to students and staff at allperiods when classes are taking place;

o) that accommodation where provided conforms to the Requirements for HostFamily Accommodation or Residential Accommodation (see Annex 3) and issubject to inspection by the Council at any reasonable time.

5. Designated adult members of staff should be available in all centres duringoperational hours to deal with the day-to-day management of the school.

6. The maximum number of students per class should not exceed 15.

7. Lists of a maximum 15 students should be established for each class and studentsrequired to attend their allocated classes on a regular basis.

8. Programmes should clearly state the number of contact EFL tuition hours. Thenumber of hours of tuition should not be less than 15 (15x 60 minutes) per week.

9. The application must be accompanied by three copies of the organisation’s printedbrochures in English and any other language used. Brochures should contain

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reasonably complete information on the organisation, e.g. the nature and scope of thecourses offered, the accommodation and fees to be charged.

10. All information contained in advertising and promotional material (brochures,websites etc.) must be clear, accurate and verifiable and must conform with thestatutory provisions relating to advertising.

11. Any change in ownership of the organisation, management structure or premisesmust be notified to the Council and will give rise to a spot check.

12. In circumstances where students are referred to other organisations for tuition, thefollowing procedures must be adhered to:

a) the organisations must be recognised by the Department of Education and Sciencefor the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language;

b) name(s) and address(es) of such organisation(s) should be supplied to the Councilon the Application Form.

13. Organisations applying for Department of Education and Science recognitionmust submit a current tax clearance certificate.

14. The Council may at any time advise the Department of Education and Science towithdraw recognition from an organisation.

15. Refusal/withdrawal of recognition from one centre may, at the discretion of theCouncil, lead to the refusal/withdrawal of recognition from the organisation.

16. Only centres which have been inspected by the Council at specified address(es)and for which recognition has been obtained can be advertised in publicity materialand the legend used referring to the Department of Education and Science recognitionwill be :

RECOGNISED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANDSCIENCE FOR THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGNLANGUAGE.

Note :i) Organisations no longer recognised must omit the legend from publicity materialand headed paper.ii) Organisations which have applied for, but have not yet been granted recognition,may not use a phrase such as ‘Applied for Department of Education and ScienceRecognition’ on publicity material or headed paper.

17. The Advisory Council for English Language Schools Ltd. reserves the right tovisit or inspect a school at all reasonable times.

18. The Council may at any time and with due notice alter these regulations.

Annex 1

Quality stan dards in regard to Management, Staffing and Administration

In order for Recognition to be granted or maintained, the Council must be assuredthat the Organisation can demonstrate that it operates satisfactory qualitystandards in regard to:

1. General Management and Administration

• the day- to- day running of the organisation• the delegation of responsibilities to, and lines of communication with,

managerial and administrative staff involved in academic management,marketing, accommodation, the social programme etc.

• arrangements for handling general enquiries, bookings, refunds etc• documented complaints procedures for students and staff• procedures for obtaining student/client feedback and action taken in the event

of negative feedback• administrative procedures for registering students and maintaining accurate

records• evidence to show that the organisation is being administered in accordance

with the law and with full regard to the safety and welfare of all employeesand students

• arrangements for the interviewing, selection and appointment of full- and part-time staff

• documentation concerning all academic qualifications (copies of certificatesetc.) of staff and list of teachers currently employed

• procedures for appointing, appraising and supporting academic managers• liaison with host families• content, accuracy and veracity of all publicity and promotional materials.


2. Academic Management

In accordance with Regulation 4(f), organisations are required to submit adocumented curriculum framework with the application forrecognition/renewal of recognition. The documentation needs to cover all ofthe points listed below and should contain a comprehensive description ofcourses offered.

1. Course design and management of resources

• organisation and content of syllabus for all courses offered• materials (course books, supplementary materials, audio-visual material etc.)

and methodology• compatibility of the above with learners’ levels, needs, interests and objectives• selection, maintenance, review and development of all resources

2. Management of teaching staff

• qualifications, experience and competence of teaching staff• recruitment and selection procedures• monitoring of classroom performance including observation, supervision and

guidance• channels of communication between academic manager and teacher, between

teachers at different levels and between teachers sharing the same level/course• induction, in-service training, professional development opportunities and

general support for teachers

3. Monitoring of students’ progress

• placement procedures (written/oral tests, interviews, self-assessment)• monitoring validity and reliability of placement procedures• number and specification of language levels• homogeneity of groups and measures for dealing with mixed-ability groups• format and procedures for regular assessment• reporting and recording of students’ progress• assessment feedback to students• facilities available to students for guidance, remedial work, self-access• end of course exams and certification• advice on and availability of external exams (TIE, Cambridge ESOL, City and

Guilds, Trinity etc).

Annex 2

ELT CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT

TEACHING IN THE RECOGNISED SECTOR IN IRELAND

For the purposes of employment in the recognised ELT sector in Ireland, all academic staff need tohold

1. A minimum of a Level 7 qualification ( www.nqf.ie ) , normally an Ordinary Bachelor degree

2. An ELT certificate from one of the following categories:

1.1 ELT programmes leading to an ACELS Certificate in English Language Teaching ( CELT ).

Notes: a) the list of recognised Initial ELT(CELT) certificate providers can be found on the ACELS website atwww.acels.ie/acelselt.htm . b) This requirement (see Regulation 4k) applies to applicants who have done ELT courses post January1st 2005. Qualifications required by regulations prior to January 1st 2005 continue to apply to thoseteachers qualified at that time i.e. 70 hour TEFL course (April 1995 to December 2004); TEFL course(pre April 1995).

1.2 ELT programmes of a minimum 115 hours duration leading to awards which are validated by theHigher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC), the Dublin Institute of Technology,Institutes of Technology which have delegated authority from HETAC to make their own awards, theNational University of Ireland and universities recognised under the Universities Act 1997.

1.3 ELT programmes leading to awards which are validated or accredited by national awarding bodieswhich have a status in law or are otherwise recognised as having authority to make awards which havenational recognition in their host jurisdiction (e.g. recognised universities, the British Council in theUK etc)

Notes: c) These awards include:Cambridge ESOL CELTA Trinity College London CertTESOL

Holders of other awards that are demonstrated to meet the Key Standards set out on www.acels.ie arerequired to present copies of certificates and transcripts to ACELS. Applicants will receive either astandard letter signed by the Chief Executive confirming that their award meets requirements and theyare eligible to teach in the recognised sector in Ireland, or informing them that their award is notacceptable and does not enfranchise them for employment in the recognised sector in Ireland.

Teaching EFL in the junior sector (state-qualified teachers)

2.1 Any of the above (Section 1).

2.2 ELT programmes leading to an ACELS Preparatory Certificate for English Language Teaching(awarded to state-qualified teachers).

Notes:e) the list of recognised Preparatory ELT certificate course providers can be found on the ACELSwebsite at www.acels.ie/acels elt .htm . f) this requirement applies to teachers who have started working in this sector post January 1st 2005.Qualifications required by regulations prior to January 1st 2005 continue to apply to those teachersqualified at that time.


Annex 3

Requirements for Student Accommodation

Organisations are responsible for ensuring that all types of accommodation aremonitored on a regular basis. Host-family and residential accommodation mustcomply with the requirements set out below.

HOST-FAMILY ACCOMMODATION

The primary requirement is that the student should be well looked after and treated asa member of the family during his/her stay.

Host families should be visited and inspected by the organisation’s accommodationofficer to assess their suitability as host families.

Host families should receive from the organisation an outline timetable of thestudents’ classes/activities.

Homes offering accommodation should be clean and well-maintained throughout.

Three is the maximum number of students which may be accommodated in anyhousehold and it is strongly recommended that only one student of any particularmother tongue should be hosted by a family. Not more than two students should beaccommodated in the same bedroom.

A well balanced and varied diet should be provided.

The following facilities should be available to the student :• comfortable bed with good supply of quality bedclothes and weekly change of bed

linen;• adequate space for clothes storage;• laundry or reasonable access to a washing machine;• table and chair in bedroom for private study or access at all times to another room

with facilities conducive to study;• free access to bathroom and bath or shower daily;• adequate heating, lighting and ventilation.

Residential Accommodation

1. All premises shall comply with the statutory requirements of local authoritiesin planning, construction, water supply, sewage disposal, fire precautions andgeneral safety.

2. All premises should be appropriate to the needs and requirements of thestudents and should be maintained in good decorative order throughout.

3. Adequate insurance cover must be in place.

Annex 4

Application Fees 2010

*€870 per organisation operating 11 classes (or more) in the main centre plus€280 for each additional centre;*€520 per organisation operating 10 classes (or less) in the main centre plus €280for each additional centre;*€520 for multi-centred organisations operating a total of 10 classes (or less);€300 full inspection fee (1 inspector); €600 full inspection fee (2 inspectors);€220 follow-up inspection fee;Appeal to independent moderator (fee to be agreed in advance).*When calculating the number of classes, include morning, afternoon andevening classes

Schools operating a shift system should include the total number of classes inoperation in each shift when calculating the relevant fee e.g. a school with 4 classes inthe morning; 5 in the afternoon and 6 in the evening is deemed to be operating 15classes.


eTHE ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE

SCHOOLS LTD.

SCHEDULE OF REQUIRED STANDARDS FOR EFL ORGANISATIONS, 2010

1. All premises shall comply with the statutory requirements of local authorities in planning,construction, water supply, sewage disposal, fire precautions and general safety.

2. All premises should be appropriate to the needs and requirements of the students and ofthe staff and should be maintained in good decorative order and properly cleaned.(See note 1)

3. All premises shall have a suitable means of heating capable of maintaining, whenrequired, a room temperature of 18.5 C.

4. Each centre shall provide adequate, suitable and accessible learning and teachingmaterials, resources and facilities which are relevant to each course programmed. (Seenote 2)

5. Each classroom shall have:

1. a floor area for seated occupancy of not less than 1.56 sq. meters per person

2. at least one window with a minimum glass area equivalent to one-tenth of the floor

area, and of which at least one part shall open

3. suitable fittings and equipment.

6. Each centre shall have recreation or common room(s) appropriate to the number ofstudents, where they can meet and relax between classes. The room(s) should befurnished and equipped so as to create an atmosphere that is friendly and relaxing.

7. All premises shall contain in a separate compartment a suitably located wash basin,together with WC for every fifteen persons who are students or staff members. Thesefacilities must be adequately cleaned and maintained.

8. It is essential that all centres have :

1 1. an office staffed during operational hours for

(a) handling enquiries, complaints and financial transactions

2 (b) assisting students with problems, i.e. illness, accommodation, stress, loss of property,travel etc.

2. first aid facilities

3. emergency procedures in place both during and outside operational hours.

The Council may at any time, with due notice, alter these requirements.

Note 1 : Staff should have exclusive use of an adequately resourced roomwhere they can prepare classes, correct students' work etc., and relaxbetween classes.

Note 2 : Materials and resources should be made available in a designated area(e.g. library or self-access centre) which is accessible to students at allreasonable times.

The sole responsibility of complying with statutory provisions and requirements of local and othercompetent authorities, including health and safety requirements, lies with the school. “Seal of Approval”does not imply certification that those requirements have been complied with. Inspections are by way ofverification only of the details supplied by the school.

The Inspection SchemeAims, Criteria and Procedures

Section 1: Aims and Objectives of the Inspection Scheme

1. The principal aim of the inspection is to ensure that organisations meet theRegulations Governing the Recognition of Organisations for the Teaching ofEnglish as a Foreign Language and comply with the Schedule of RequiredStandards. In this way, students coming to study EFL in Ireland, their sponsorsand agents can be assured of high teaching and educational standards as well as acommitment to ensure the welfare, safety and social benefit of students duringtheir stay here.

2. Those organisations which demonstrate through the Inspection Scheme that theyhave attained the standards laid down will receive a ‘seal of approval’ in the formof Department of Education and Science recognition which will enable them toattract students to their organisations.

3. A further aim of the Scheme is to enable organisations to benefit from aninspection in such a way that it becomes more than a snapshot of the organisationin action on a particular day but forms part of an on-going process ofimprovement and development. Organisations should therefore be encouraged toaspire to an even greater level of efficiency, through regular self – assessmentactivities.

4. The inspectors’ task will be to:• verify the information and declaration given in the application form for

recognition/renewal of recognition• ensure that regulations and required standards are adhered to• verify the claims made by the organisation in its Documented Curriculum

Framework and promotional literature• ensure that courses included on the Register of Programmes recognised by the

Minister for Education and Science (for purpose of access to employment ofstudents who are citizens from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland) conformwith Register requirements

• assess the work that the organisation is doing in pursuit of its declared aims• scrutinise the performance of the organisation according to the criteria laid

down in Section 2• make recommendations and give advice to the organisation on areas for

improvement.

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Section 2: Criteria for Inspections

Note: These criteria should be read in conjunction with the Regulations Governing the Recognition of Organisations for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language and the Schedule of Required Standards

The inspector(s) will assess the performance of the organisation in the following areas:

1. General Management and Administration2. Academic Management3. Teaching Performance4. Social Programme/Student Welfare5. Premises

1. General Management and Administration

The inspector will pay particular attention to the following points:• the day- to- day running of the organisation• the delegation of responsibilities to, and lines of communication with,

managerial and administrative staff involved in academic management,marketing, accommodation, the social programme etc.

• arrangements for handling general enquiries, bookings, refunds etc• documented complaints procedures for students and staff• procedures for obtaining student/client feedback and action taken in the event

of negative feedback• administrative procedures for registering students and maintaining accurate

records• evidence to show that the organisation is being administered in accordance

with the law and with full regard to the safety and welfare of all employeesand students

• arrangements for the interviewing, selection and appointment of full - andpart- time staff

• documentation concerning all academic qualifications (copies of certificatesetc.) of staff and list of teachers currently employed

• procedures for appointing, appraising and supporting academic managers• liaison with host families• content, accuracy and veracity of all publicity and promotional materials.

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2. Academic Management

In accordance with Regulation 4(f), organisations are required to submit adocumented curriculum framework with the application for recognition/renewalof recognition (this can be sent in hard copy or by e-mail ([email protected]). Thedocumentation needs to cover all of the points listed below and should contain acomprehensive description of courses offered.

The following points will be covered during the Inspection:

1. Course design and management of resources

• organisation and content of syllabus for all courses offered (including courseson the Internationalisation Register)

• materials (course books, supplementary materials, audio-visual material etc.)and methodology

• compatibility of the above with learners’ levels, needs, interests and objectives• selection, maintenance, review and development of all resources

2. Management of teaching staff

• qualifications, experience and competence of teaching staff• recruitment and selection procedures• monitoring of classroom performance including observation, supervision and

guidance• channels of communication between academic manager and teacher, between

teachers at different levels and between teachers sharing the same level/course• induction, in-service training, professional development opportunities and

general support for teachers

3. Monitoring of students’ progress

• placement procedures (written/oral tests, interviews, self-assessment)• monitoring validity and reliability of placement procedures• number and specification of language levels• homogeneity of groups and measures for dealing with mixed-ability groups• format and procedures for regular assessment• reporting and recording of students’ progress• assessment feedback to students• facilities available to students for guidance, remedial work, self-access• end of course exams and certification

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• advice on and availability of external exams (TIE, Cambridge ESOL, City andGuilds, Trinity etc.)

In addition, the inspector will assess the qualifications, experience andcompetence of the academic manager as well as training and developmentundertaken.

3. Teaching Performance

The teaching performance of the organisation will be assessed on the basis ofclassroom observation of the teachers.The inspector will pay attention to the following points, where appropriate:

• lesson planning and preparation• methodology• classroom management• teacher/student roles• language awareness• student participation and achievement of learning objectives

(For fuller description of these criteria and notes on aims and procedure of theclassroom observation, refer to Form 3A - TEACHER OBSERVATION - NOTESFOR TEACHERS)

4. Social Programme/Student Welfare

1. Where a social/leisure programme forms part of the overall ‘package’, the inspector will verify that:

• the programme in place is in accord with claims and descriptions contained inpromotional literature

• there is a varied and interesting programme, organised under the direction ofan appropriately qualified and experienced person, who will ensure thatproper provision for health and safety is made

• for students under the age of 16, there is a complete schedule of organisedactivities appropriate to the age and interests of the students

• where activities are offered at extra charge, this is stated explicitly inpromotional literature and is made clear to students at the beginning of thecourse

2. The inspector will verify that:

• all due care and attention is taken to ensure the welfare and safety of thestudents

• students receive orientation to local facilities, services and amenities

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• procedures are in place to deal with emergencies and that students and hostfamilies are able to contact the director or delegated person, in the case ofemergencies, at all times

• first aid facilities and access to local medical assistance are available• for students experiencing problems or difficulties, there are clear procedures

for seeking advice

5. Premises

The inspector will verify that

• all premises comply with the regulations as laid down in the Schedule ofRequired Standards for EFL Organisations

• general safety requirements regarding emergency procedures, fire escapes, firedrills, extinguishers, exit routes etc are adhered to

• the location, features, facilities and general environment of the organisationaccord with claims, descriptions and photographs contained in promotionalliterature.

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Form 3 A

INSPECTION SCHEME

TEACHER OBSERVATION – NOTES FOR TEACHERS

Aim of Classroom ObservationThe principal aim of these observations is to gain an overview of the teachingperformance of the organisation- effectiveness and appropriacy of methods,availability and use of resources, teachers’ classroom expertise etc. The observationtherefore does not constitute an assessment of individual teachers and no grades willbe issued. Feedback on observation will form part of an overall written report, whichwill be sent to the director.

PROCEDURE

• The observation will be carried out by an ACELS inspector, whose name willbe given to you in advance of the inspection

• You will be informed of the day of the observation but not the exact time

• The inspector will not be able to observe a whole lesson but will be inattendance for between 15 and 30 minutes and will try to create as littledisruption as possible

• Copies of your lesson plans for the day of inspection should be made availableto the inspector. These plans need not be too detailed but should enable theinspector to see how the part of the lesson observed fits into the overall plan.The plan should contain:

- your name- class type and level- materials used (e.g. course book, supplementary materials, handouts

etc.)- learning objectives with list of stages and procedures

• Copies of all materials used in class should be given to the inspector

During the observation, the inspector will be paying particular attention to some or allof the following areas where they are deemed appropriate to the lesson ( or part oflesson) observed:

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1. Lesson planning and preparation – the organisation of the lesson and your abilityto match the content with the level and needs of the class in general andindividual students in particular.

2. Methodology and techniques – your ability to select activities and techniquesappropriate to the teaching situation and your ability to pace the lessonadequately, vary activities, give clear instructions, balance talking time and createan atmosphere conducive to learning for all students.

3. Class room management – your ability to manage resources and the students, as aclass, in groups, or individually.

4. Your role as a teacher – the ability to act as facilitator, monitor, informant,orchestrator etc. where appropriate.

5. Language awareness – your ability to use adequate and appropriate techniques forlinguistic explanation and error correction and your own awareness of the Englishlanguage.

6. Learning objectives – your ability to engage the students in active learning and togauge their success in terms of the aims of the lesson.

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Section 3: Procedures for inspections

Full inspections will be carried out:

(a) in all organisations applying for recognition for the first time;(b) at the discretion of the Council and at least once within a three-year

period, in all recognised organisations.Following a successful inspection, the Council will recommend recognition to theDepartment. In the case of an unsuccessful inspection, organisations may request areview, once the outstanding issues and requirements have been addressed (this mayinvolve a follow-up inspection).

Spot check inspections are carried out in the following instances :

1. change of circumstances e.g. management; premises; new centre2. follow-up on issues from previous inspection3. complaints4. multi-centre organisations – when a multi-centre organisation is due a full inspection,this inspection will take place in the nominated main centre and the other centre/s will bespot checked.

The Council reserves the right to carry out ‘spot-check’ inspections at any time.

1. Pre-Inspection Procedures

1. New organisations may submit an application for recognition at any time during theyear. For annual renewal of recognition, applications must be made by the last workingday in May in any given year for recognition for the following year.

2. Recognised organisations that are due an inspection will be informed of this by theCouncil in May of the relevant year.

3. A date, mutually agreed by the Council and the organisation, will be set for theinspection. (When fixing a date, the Council will want to ensure that a representativerange and volume of courses are seen).

4. Prior to the agreed date of inspection, the Council will inform the school of the name/s of the inspector(s) that has/have been allocated and will request the following information to be provided by the school director:

(i) the current Documented Curriculum Framework (this may be sent by e-mail)(ii) number, level and type of classes organised for the day of inspection(iii) list of teachers, including details of qualifications and experience, who have

been employed over the previous year(iv) list of teachers who will be working on the day of inspection(v) list of non – academic employees ( accommodation officer, social programme

organiser etc.)

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(vi) list of organised activities covering the month in which the inspection takesplace

(vii) schedule for day of inspection (outline) is enclosed – the director is required tosubmit the schedule, specifying the class and break times and confirming theinterview times together with staff names

(viii) copies of any promotional literature (brochures, leaflets, enrolment forms andfees, advertisements etc.) that were NOT sent with the application form.

Documentation for the inspection must be submitted to the Council, along with theinspection fee at least 10 days before the date of inspection.

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2. Inspection Procedures

In the case of a school with 10 classes or less, inspection will be carried out by oneinspector. In excess of this, there will be two inspectors.NOTE : see Regulations Governing the Recognition of Organisations for the Teaching ofEnglish as a Foreign Language – Annex 4.

1. General Management and Administration and Social Programme/StudentWelfareAn interview of approximately 1 to 1 ½ hours will be held with the director/principal ofthe organisation. During this session, the inspector will also wish to speak to otheradministrative staff (Accommodation officer, Social Programme Organiser, etc.) whereappropriate.Please refer to Section 2.1 and 2.4 of CRITERIA FOR INSPECTIONS

2. PremisesThe main premises and any overflow premises used by the school will be inspected. Refer to Section 2.5 of CRITERIA FOR INSPECTIONS

3. Academic ManagementThe inspector will interview the person responsible for the Academic Management for aperiod of approximately 1 ½ hours. Refer to Section 2.2 of CRITERIA FOR INSPECTIONS

4. Teacher ObservationIn an organisation with five or less teachers working on the day of inspection, all teacherswill be observed. Where the number of teachers exceeds five, the inspector will select across-section of teachers to be observed to take into account different types (e.g. GeneralEnglish, ESP, one- to- one) and level of class and teachers with differing levels ofexperience and qualifications. Where there are two inspectors, a minimum of 10 teacherswill be observed.

Class timetables for the day of inspection, indicating names of teachers, class levels androom numbers, should be sent to ACELS 10 days prior to the inspection, along with otherdetails requested. Refer to Section 2.3 of CRITERIA FOR INSPECTIONS and TEACHER OBSERVATION – NOTES FOR TEACHERS (FORM 3A)

5. Student Focus GroupOrganisations will be asked to select 5 or 6 students to represent a cross – section of thestudent body. The inspector/s will spend approximately 30 minutes discussing all aspectsof the programme with them. In preparation for this, a questionnaire will be sent to theorganisation to be given to the selected students. This will act as a basis for thediscussion.6. Following the above, the inspector may give feedback to the director on objectiveaspects related to the inspection. A written report will be sent at a later date. (see following section).

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3. Post – Inspection Procedures

1. The inspector will present a full confidential report to the Council within two weeks of the inspection.

2. This report will be presented to the next scheduled meeting of the Council’sBoard of Directors and, in the event that recognition is recommended, theDepartment of Education and Science will be notified to this effect.

3. The Council will then send a copy of the report to the school director under theheadings:

(i) General Management and Administration(ii) Academic Management(iii) Teaching Performance(iv) Social Programme/ Student Welfare(v) Premises(vi) Comments/ Recommendations

Note: The Council may contact the school before a formal decision on recognition has been taken (this would occur, for example, where recommendations made by inspectors needed to be implemented immediately and a Board meeting was not scheduled for some time).

4. In the event that the Board of Directors recommends that recognition be refusedor withdrawn, a copy of the report will be sent to the director. The director mayrequest a follow-up inspection once outstanding issues have been addressed. Thefollow-up inspection will take place at a time deemed appropriate by the Counciland without prior notification of the date.

5. Where recognition is recommended by the Board of Directors after the follow-upinspection, the Department will be notified. An organisation that is notrecommended for recognition at this stage may appeal the decision to anindependent moderator, nominated by the Council.

INSPECTION FEES for 2009 :

€300 full inspection fee (1 inspector); €600 full inspection fee (2 inspectors);€220 follow-up inspection fee;Appeal to independent moderator – fee to be agreed in advance).

The sole responsibility of complying with statutory provisions and requirements of local and othercompetent authorities, including health and safety requirements, lies with the school. “Seal ofApproval” does not imply certification that those requirements have been complied with.Inspections are by way of verification only of the details supplied by the school.

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Section 4: The Inspection Panel

1. The Inspection Panel consists of a core expert group of independent inspectors(including the Project Director, ACELS) who are currently unaffiliated to anyrecognised organisation.

2. Inspectors are required to list organisations with which they have/have hadpersonal or professional links and will be debarred from carrying out inspectionsin these organisations.

3. Inspectors are nominated for inspections taking into account availability, locationand suitability for particular organisations (e.g. expertise in areas such as teenagelearners, ESP, EAP etc)

4. Minimum requirements for inspector qualifications are: Level 7 (HETAC)qualification, Diploma in English Language Teaching and considerableexperience of teaching EFL in Ireland and/or overseas and expertise/experience inacademic management.

5. As positions for inspectors arise, these will be publicly advertised. Candidatesmeeting the requirement criteria are interviewed by a Panel, nominated by theACELS Board of Directors.

6. All inspectors serve a 3 year renewable term.

7. Newly appointed inspectors are required to undertake initial training and toshadow a core inspector before being included on the Panel. Thereafter,inspectors are required to attend annual training days.

8. Inspectors’ contracts are agreed and signed on an annual basis.

9. Inspectors are expected to carry out their duties in a professional, ethical andrespectful manner and are required by contract to guarantee absoluteconfidentiality in all matters relating to inspections they have carried out.

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ACELS

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Transcript of ACELS