Via Campanella 16,
41100 Modena - Italy

AiSLi stands for Italian Association of Language Schools (Associazione Italiana Scuole di Lingue). It is an Associate Member of EAQUALS. In addition, several of the AiSLi member schools are also full members of EAQUALS.

Laura Muresan: Is the quality guarantee system that you represent, Tim, intended only for foreign language teaching & learning or does it also include mother tongue literacy and other issues?

Tim Priesack: The quality guarantee system promoted by AiSLi covers all aspects of the educational services offered by individual member schools. These services can include foreign language teaching, Italian for foreigners and teacher training for Italian and other native teachers in both the private and state sectors.

L.M.: What is the mission statement of AiSLi?

T.P.: The mission statement of the Association is divided into two areas:

• to co-ordinate and protect the interests of language teaching organisations that guarantee high quality services by adherence to the AiSLi Code of Conduct
• to protect the interests of students attending courses in member schools through regular inspections to check adherence to the AISLi Student Charter

L.M.: What are the main areas focused on in an AISLi inspection?

T.P.: Each inspection is carried out by two specifically trained representatives of member schools. One inspector concentrates on administrative matters and the other on educational issues. AISLi inspectors are required to look at all the different facets of a school undergoing an inspection. These range from school insurance cover to fire certificates and from teaching standards to working conditions for both educational and administrative staff.

L.M.: Is the role of the inspection restricted to quality control or does it also include counselling?

T.P.: As all the AISLi inspectors come from member schools and are therefore involved in the day to day running of language teaching organisations, peer-counselling plays a very important role in the inspection follow-up reporting.

L.M.: Do schools receive any self-assessment questionnaire prior to the quality inspection?

T.P.: Applicant schools, whether applying for a re-inspection or first inspection are required to complete a pre-inspection questionnaire. This obligation inevitably involves self-assessment related to AISLi benchmarks.

L.M.: Did you have any situations when a school did not pass after an AISLi inspection? What happens in such a case? Is there any support for the school, to facilitate its quality improvement?

T.P.: This situation, I must say, happens quite often. AISLi standards are very high when compared to the reality in the majority of private language teaching organisations in Italy.
Following an unsuccessful application/inspection, the AISLi Inspection Officer issues a report to the applicant school with recommendations for an action plan to reach AISLi standards. There have been many instances when schools have changed working practices and been invited to join the Association following an initial inspection which was not passed.

L.M.: How does the AISLi inspection system compare with the EAQUALS inspection system?

T.P.: I am convinced that both AISLi and EAQUALS have learned a lot through comparing their inspection systems. They are now very similar with the AISLi system concentrating more on the implications of national, I mean, of course, Italian, legislation and acceptable working practices.

L.M.: From your Newsletter and the EAQUALS meetings I know that several AISLi members have also gone through the EAQUALS inspection and are now full members of the European Association. What are the main challenges and benefits for a language school in Italy to go through both inspections and be a member of both Associations?

T.P.: You are correct, several schools in Italy are now full members of both AISLi and EAQUALS and others are considering application.
Personally, I am convinced that one of the advantages of Associations such as the two mentioned lies in the opportunity for peer group discussions not only during formal meetings but especially during those informal occasions that often occur during conferences. Schools, especially those which are independent and situated outside big cities can feel very isolated. Meetings within peer groups give members a chance to air and discuss topics of mutual interest.
AISLi member schools operate within Italy and inevitably our discussions are in an Italian context.
EAQUALS membership includes schools and associate members from across Europe and opens the perspectives and horizons of members to pan-European topics of interest.

L.M.: Are the language courses attended in an AISLi school recognised by the Ministry of Education?

T.P.: At the moment, some of the Teacher Training courses organised by AISLi in member schools are authorised by the Ministry of Education as well as level certificates issued by members. The latter can be used as 'crediti formativi', a system whereby students can claim credits towards their 'maturity' examination (at 18 years of age) for extra scholastic certification attained during the period of compulsory education.

The Italian educational system is undergoing a structural re-organisation at the present time and the future of 'crediti formativi' is under discussion as is the Ministry program for teacher training and development. We do not want attempt to predict the future but just be there to use the influence of the Association to the benefit of the language teacher and the language learner.