On July 21, the British Council announced the launch of its English Language Quality Standards Programme (ELQSP), a collaborative initiative designed to help schools who are interested in improving the quality of their English language education programmes.
To mark the launch, the British Council organised a talk on ‘the value of quality assurance, accreditation and professional association’ by Stuart Higgins, principal, Saint Michael’s College, UK. The event was attended by many principals of Delhi and NCR schools. Stuart talked about his own experience of UK inspection and accreditation systems and the value that these systems bring.

As well as promoting debate about issues of quality in English language education, the ELQSP Programme provides access to a range of developmental resources for English medium schools to improve their English language teaching provision. There are resources available for teachers and students, quality improvement resources for schools and British Council’s Consultancy Service. All the resources help schools work towards meeting the quality standards described in the Quality Standards Framework – an India-specific framework which defines quality in relation to ten standards and five developmental stages.

The programme also includes the English Language Quality Standards Membership Network. Schools who join the Membership Network form a long term relationship with the British Council. Membership is achieved by institutions operating at level 4 of the Quality Standards Framework through successful on-site review of their English language programmes of study.

Membership provides privileged access to developmental resources and entitles an institution to promote its clear commitment to quality through the use of the British Council’s Quality Standards marque.

Addressing the principals present on the occasion of the launch, Chris Brandwood, director English South Asia, British Council, said, “This is a very significant event for the British Council in India. After a lot of a consultation with our partners, we’re very pleased with the content of the Quality Standards Programme. It will contribute very positively to the way that English language courses are delivered, how teachers teach and how their students learn. Through an increased focus on quality, it’s a very important step in the raising of standards in English language teaching and learning.”

As part of this Programme, the British Council is also working to support English medium schools in establishing a formal professional association open to members of the Membership Network.

This is an ideal opportunity for schools and school principals to work with the British Council and raise the profile of their school by becoming a part of an exclusive network endorsed by the British Council.

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. It has been creating international opportunities for the people of the UK and other countries and building trust between them worldwide.

For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.in.