Top recognition for language centre
DEVELOPING a rich culture that supports the English language needs of international students to reach their full potential has earned the Language Centre at Edge Hill University recognition by BALEAP.
The institution’s Language Centre has officially been accredited by BALEAP, the global forum for English for Academic Purposes (EAP) professionals, which recognises institutions that enhance the quality of the management, teaching and learning of EAP and add value to the academic success of international students.
This latest recognition follows on from the recent British Council accreditation for the teaching of English in the UK; giving quality assurance to international students who are taking or are planning to take an English language course or a pre-sessional course before progressing to their academic studies at Edge Hill.
The Language Centre is now deemed to be a centre of excellence by the EL Gazette, which reported that Edge Hill’s British Council report had the highest number of strengths for a first inspection since the records began.
Carmel Roche, director of the Language Centre, said: “The BALEAP result is fantastic news and highlights the quality of teaching and learning, giving all prospective international students confidence that they are receiving the highest standard of English language tuition.
“Our experienced, passionate team has worked hard to achieve this outcome and this includes our wonderful administrative and teaching staff, who have extensive knowledge of the current best practices in teaching English language.
“I’m proud and delighted that the Language Centre has had such a successful outcome in the BALEAP assessment.
“We met all 46 criteria across all areas including institutional context, academic management, course design, teaching and learning, assessment, evaluation and progression.
“As there were no recommended actions to take forward, the Language Centre can’t improve in any areas, only match future inspections.”
Xi’an teachers who experienced first-hand the quality teaching at Edge Hill’s Language Centre in the summer have sent across their personal congratulations following the news.
Edge Hill now appears on the BALEAP website accreditation list www.baleap.org/about-baleap/ accredited-institutions
As well as offering courses to international students, the Language Centre also offers courses to home students interested in studying another language as part of their main degree.
Find out more by visiting www.edgehill.ac.uk/efl/