The independent assessment of language-stay programmes by external experts, as one of the most effective means of ongoing quality control, is absolutely essential. This is why for nearly 40 years the Scientific Advisory Board of the FDSV has been regularly reviewing the catalogues and websites of the FDSV members and evaluating their services through on-site inspections.
The FDSV Scientific Advisory Board evaluates the Association members on a regular basis to verify compliance with the FDSV Quality Guidelines and the European standard for language-study tour providers (EN 14804) by
- reviewing the members’ catalogues, websites and travel documents and
- performing on-site inspections of the language schools.
The language schools and accommodation sites of the FDSV members are evaluated in the context of routine inspection visits. Interviews are conducted with the school management, language teachers and group leaders regarding the language programmes, teacher training and programmes of leisure activities. The inspectors sit in on lessons, evaluate teaching materials and ask participants about their level of satisfaction with the respective programme.
The independent Scientific Advisory Board assesses the quality of the language tours and courses offered by the FDSV’s members and is in constant dialogue with the FDSV. It makes suggestions about maintaining and improving the quality of the language stays.
ADMISSION OF NEW MEMBERS
Before a language school or tour operator is accepted as a new member of the FDSV, the independent Scientific Advisory Board carries out random language-school inspections and evaluates the catalogues and Internet presence of the applicant to verify compliance with the FDSV Quality Guidelines and the European standard for language-study tour providers (EN 14804).
