ACTDEC

Accreditation Council for TESOL Distance Education Courses

Some frequently asked questions made by applicant members

FAQs

Q Can ACTDEC accredit face to face courses?
A No, ACTDEC currently accredits only distance learning courses.
Q Can an applicant institution have several contact persons?
A Ideally, there should be only one officer at the applicant institution to whom all future related correspondence should be addressed.
Q How do I start with my application?
A You need to have three documents to use as a guideline in submitting your application:

  1. The ACTDEC code of practice
  2. Performance Indicators for ACTDEC accreditation
  3. The appropriate ACTDEC Specimen regulations and Syllabus for the level of course you wish to have accredited:
    1. Preliminary Certificate of Educational Studies in Teaching English to speakers of Other Languages Level 2
    2. Certificate of Educational Studies in Teaching English to speakers of Other Languages – Level 3-4
    3. Certificate in the Theory and Methodology of Teaching English to speakers of Other Languages – Level 5
    4. Diploma in the Theory and Methodology of Teaching English to speakers of Other Languages – Level 6
Q How important are the Performance Indicators?
A The Performance Indicators are the key to the whole application. In the application all parts of the performance indicators (1-12) should be covered.
Q What information do I have to provide under number 1 ( publicity, advertising, pre course information) of the Performance indicators?
A An up and running website address should be included, or the text to be used on the website publicising the course. However, the website must be operational before accreditation is awarded.
Q In number 5 (course structure, syllabus content and length), is it enough to send a list of everything which is included in the course?
A A complete course content list should be provided. Additionally it is expected that at least two complete modules are included so that the accreditation panel can get a more in depth insight into the course. It is felt that everything should be sent in rather than just two modules.
Q Should there be a set pass mark for the course?
A To be in line with ACTDEC policy the pass mark of the distance training programme has to be 50%.
Q What qualifications do our staff need to meet ACTDEC’s standard?
A Especially for non- native speakers running a course, an English qualification (e.g. IELTS score 8) is expected, and staff must also possess a recognised teaching qualification.We would recommend a Cambridge Proficiency in English qualification ideally or something at this level. IELTS is most regularly used for people going to university and so is a guide to a student’s level but may not always be as appropriate as CPE. Certainly a 6 at IELTS would not be adequate and an absolute minimum would be 7 but ideally 8.
Q Under number 12 of the performance Indicators (course evaluation and quality assurance) what kind of evaluation data is required?
A Examples of course feedback sheets completed by the trainees is expected.
Q How do I know if our course to be accredited meets the criteria of the ACTDEC syllabus?
A Please refer to the Specimen Regulations and Syllabus sheet for the course level you are applying for. Here you will find a complete list of what is expected for the syllabus for each level.