International Association of Language Centers

ELC is a founding member of IALC

Founded in 1983, IALC is a worldwide association for independent, private language schools that teach the language(s) of their country. There are currently 89 members teaching eight languages in 21 countries.

Criteria for Member Schools

IALC schools are legally constituted, privately owned language centers of high quality. IALC is for single-centers and school groups with up to five separate centers.

IALC schools:

• offer all levels of language instruction all year
• have a minimum of five classrooms
• have operated for a minimum of three years

Candidates for membership are thoroughly inspected. The quality of existing members is monitored by annual self-assessment and reinspection every four years.

Obligations of Membership

IALC schools must:

• maintain high standards of facilities and teaching
• employ only qualified, experienced staff
• maintain a high quality learning environment
• promote their services and conditions fairly and accurately
• select accommodations carefully
• employ a qualified and experienced person to look after student welfare
• offer social and cultural events
• provide courses within a clear curriculum framework
• provide a welcoming atmosphere and proper counseling
• assess and place all students appropriately on arrival
• guarantee the integrity of examinations and certificates
• operate an efficient management system
• advise every client of complaint procedures
• have a clear procedure for receiving and acting on client feedback

Cooperation with Agents

IALC Agent Workshop - The annual IALC workshop enables agents to meet the owners and directors of IALC schools. It takes place in the city of an IALC member in May. IALC Roadshow - IALC arranges marketing missions for its members in different countries. A mini-workshop is organized for agents in each city visited. IALC Website - IALC's website includes a recommendation to students to use local agents and has a special area for agents including school news and workshop information.

IALC Agent Relations - IALC's Agent Relations Committee arbitrates in disputes between agents and IALC schools. Our aim is to help resolve problems and to ensure that our members have acted fairly.