QUEST RomaniaThe Romanian Association for Quality Language Services

CODE OF PRACTICE

QUEST membership is based on the willingness and ability of member institutions to meet the requirements specified in the Code of Practice. The Code of Practice shows the commitment of the Member institutions to guarantee and monitor the quality of services offered. The Code of Practice contains a Student Charter and a Staff Charter which must be observed and displayed by the member schools. It also contains a Members’ Charter and rules concerning the way in which members advertise and inform customers and potential customers of their services. The Code of Practice is an integral part of the Articles of Association.

Underlying Principles

The basic principles of the Code of Practice are as follows:· respect for the legal constitution of QUEST· professional integrity· truthful advertising and information to the public· value for money· fair dealing with clients, students and staff

The QUEST Student Charter

The schools belonging to QUEST guarantee:· a quality teaching and learning environment· high teaching and educational standards delivered by competent teachers· access to appropriate teaching resources and materials· a commitment to maintain and develop standards· regular monitoring of the teaching activity· a structured course of studies divided into levels appropriate to the students’ needs

stipulating:- number of taught hours per course- maximum number of students per group- specified age-range for courses

· accurate placement tests· progress tests and end-of course assessment· a certificate of attendance on completion of the course· a precise description of the cost of tuition and of other services and materials· the opportunity for students to express their opinion of the course· a clear and fair written procedure for dealing with complaints, grievances and

indiscipline· students’ welfare and safety on school premises· no discrimination against students on grounds of gender, race or religion· total accuracy and veracity of all information presented.

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The QUEST Staff Charter

· The contracts of all QUEST staff are governed by national labour laws.· All staff in member schools, whether full or part time, are issued with written

contracts or letters of agreement specifying the terms of employment and the main responsibilities of the post.

· Members provide fair terms and conditions of employment in the context of the relevant local and national standard, in the following areas:- salary;- length of contract;- working hours and teaching hours per week and where relevant:

- paid holiday entitlement;- sickness, maternity, family and compassionate leave;- pension and severance pay arrangements;- unpaid leave of absence.

· Members have clearly specified written grievance and disciplinary procedures.· Members employ carefully selected staff with appropriate training and qualifications.· Members provide all staff with relevant opportunities for training and development.· Members undertake to keep their staff informed about the status and ownership of the

school, and of the organisations and associations it belongs to.· Members agree to keep all staff informed about the day-to-day activities of the school

and to give them access to non-confidential documentation.· Member schools provide staff with adequate workspace and facilities to carry out their

duties.

The QUEST Members’ Charter

QUEST guarantees: · to support Romania's European integration and the process of international integration

in general, through the specific activities of the Association· to represent the members of the Association in their relations with other national and

international institutions and bodies· to investigate the benefits of affiliation to appropriate national and international bodies

such as EAQUALS· to facilitate opportunities for professional staff development in order to continuously

improve the language services offered by its members· to publish a regular newsletter · to assist member schools to develop new areas of activity.

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Benefits of membership include:· participation in and promotion by the QUEST brochure, marketing initiatives and

professional events· access to the QUEST mailing list· certificate of membership· access to mutual support, advice and expertise· authorisation to display the QUEST logo.

All QUEST members undertake to:· adhere to the QUEST Articles of Association· abide by the regulations of the QUEST inspection scheme· work actively for the improvement of the language teaching profession· fully observe the QUEST charters· work actively to maintain and raise their own organisations' professional standards

and to observe high standards of business and professional ethics· contribute money and staff time to QUEST for purposes and in amounts agreed to by

the general majority of QUEST members· give every assistance to the inspection team and those charged with carrying out the

QUEST scheme· not enter into any activity that is against the declared interests of QUEST· respect confidentiality· observe deadlines for submitting documentation, information etc.

QUEST guarantees transparency in its own financial matters regarding income and costs and distribution of obligations and benefits among its members.

Advertising, publicity, course information, course documentation

· Members’ advertising materials are factual and give a clear and truthful account of courses and other activities.

· Before enrolment, members provide students or their representatives with clear information on the nature of, and rationale behind the courses. This will include information on:- course length,- number of teaching hours in the course,- class size,- placement and assessment procedures.

· Before enrolment, clear information will be provided on fees, methods of payment, cancellations and withdrawals.

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