QUEST Romania

The Romanian Association for Quality Language Services

CODE OF PRACTICE
QUEST membership is based on the willingness and ability of member institutions to meet
the requirements specified in the Code of Practice. The Code of Practice shows the
commitment of the Member institutions to guarantee and monitor the quality of services
offered. The Code of Practice contains a Student Charter and a Staff Charter which must
be observed and displayed by the member schools. It also contains a Members Charter
and rules concerning the way in which members advertise and inform customers and
potential customers of their services. The Code of Practice is an integral part of the
Articles of Association.
Underlying Principles
The basic principles of the Code of Practice are as follows:
respect for the legal constitution of QUEST
professional integrity
truthful advertising and information to the public
value for money
fair dealing with clients, students and staff
The QUEST Student Charter
The schools belonging to QUEST guarantee:
a quality teaching and learning environment
high teaching and educational standards delivered by competent teachers
access to appropriate teaching resources and materials
a commitment to maintain and develop standards
regular monitoring of the teaching activity
a structured course of studies divided into levels appropriate to the students needs
stipulating:
- number of taught hours per course
- maximum number of students per group
- specified age-range for courses
accurate placement tests
progress tests and end-of course assessment
a certificate of attendance on completion of the course
a precise description of the cost of tuition and of other services and materials
the opportunity for students to express their opinion of the course
a clear and fair written procedure for dealing with complaints, grievances and
indiscipline
students welfare and safety on school premises

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 no discrimination against students on grounds of gender, race or religion

total accuracy and veracity of all information presented.
The QUEST Staff Charter
The contracts of all QUEST staff are governed by national labour laws.
All staff in member schools, whether full or part time, are issued with written contracts
or letters of agreement specifying the terms of employment and the main
responsibilities of the post.
Members provide fair terms and conditions of employment in the context of the
relevant local and national standard, in the following areas:
- salary;
- length of contract;
- working hours and teaching hours per week and where relevant:
- paid holiday entitlement;
- sickness, maternity, family and compassionate leave;
- pension and severance pay arrangements;
- unpaid leave of absence.
Members have clearly specified written grievance and disciplinary procedures.
Members employ carefully selected staff with appropriate training and qualifications.
Members provide all staff with relevant opportunities for training and development.
Members undertake to keep their staff informed about the status and ownership of the
school, and of the organisations and associations it belongs to.
Members agree to keep all staff informed about the day-to-day activities of the school
and to give them access to non-confidential documentation.
Member schools provide staff with adequate workspace and facilities to carry out their
duties.
The QUEST Members Charter
QUEST guarantees:
to support Romania's European integration and the process of international integration
in general, through the specific activities of the Association
to represent the members of the Association in their relations with other national and
international institutions and bodies
to investigate the benefits of affiliation to appropriate national and international bodies
such as EAQUALS
to facilitate opportunities for professional staff development in order to continuously
improve the language services offered by its members
to publish a regular newsletter
to assist member schools to develop new areas of activity.

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Benefits of membership include:

participation in and promotion by the QUEST brochure, marketing initiatives and
professional events
access to the QUEST mailing list
certificate of membership
access to mutual support, advice and expertise
authorisation to display the QUEST logo.
All QUEST members undertake to:
adhere to the QUEST Articles of Association
abide by the regulations of the QUEST inspection scheme
work actively for the improvement of the language teaching profession
fully observe the QUEST charters
work actively to maintain and raise their own organisations' professional standards and
to observe high standards of business and professional ethics
contribute money and staff time to QUEST for purposes and in amounts agreed to by
the general majority of QUEST members
give every assistance to the inspection team and those charged with carrying out the
QUEST scheme
not enter into any activity that is against the declared interests of QUEST
respect confidentiality
observe deadlines for submitting documentation, information etc.
QUEST guarantees transparency in its own financial matters regarding income and costs
and distribution of obligations and benefits among its members.
Advertising, publicity, course information, course documentation
Members advertising materials are factual and give a clear and truthful account of
courses and other activities.
Before enrolment, members provide students or their representatives with clear
information on the nature of, and rationale behind the courses. This will include
information on:
- course length,
- number of teaching hours in the course,
- class size,
- placement and assessment procedures.
Before enrolment, clear information will be provided on fees, methods of payment,
cancellations and withdrawals.

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