ACTDEC
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ACTDEC is a large professional body of Teachers of English as a Second Language.
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[edit] What is ACTDEC and what does it do?
The Accreditation Council for TESOL Distance Education Courses is a non-profit making independent body governed by officers and Council, established in 1993, to advance professionalism by maintaining and also improving on standards of distance TESOL/TEFL programmes.
ACTDEC is for the benefit of the public and aimed at helping TESOL course applicants locate suitably accredited institutions offering distance teacher training courses and also responding to general enquiries relating to the ELT profession.
[edit] Becoming accredited
Any reputable TESOL distance-learning provider can apply to become an applicant member of ACTDEC. They are then given 12 months in which to apply for formal accreditation. The independent accreditation panel works to a set of syllabus specifications and requirements originally drawn up by Dr W.R. Lee, founder of IATEFL and ACTDEC's first Chair. The accreditation process is based on the ACTDEC 12 point Code of Practice.
A two-tier ACTDEC membership scheme is open to reputable teacher-training institutions offering free-standing (or hybrid) TESOL distance-training programmes.
1. Non-accredited members agreeing to abide by the ACTDEC Code of Practice, and who are actively preparing for accreditation of one or more courses, are allowed to use the ACTDEC Applicant Membership logo. Applicant (non-accredited) members have twelve months in which to achieve ACTDEC accreditation for a specific distance-training course (or courses) at one or more of the four ACTDEC levels.
Applicant Membership of ACTDEC registers intent on the part of the institution, to seek accreditation for a specific course (or courses) and, by implication, signals a willingness on the part of the institution to adhere to the highest standards set out in the Code of Practice.
2. Members with courses that have been accredited are eligible to display the ACTDEC symbol of quality assurance and statement with regard to each specifically accredited course, e.g. course level 1 or course level 4, etc.
ACTDEC support for applicants The primary aim of the independent Accreditation Panel is to recommend accreditation based on the evidence and submission made by the provider. However, where there are discrepancies, the panel offers advice that will help enable successful re-submission. The aim is to maintain high standards and a level playing field.
ACTDEC audit procedures Following rigorous initial accreditation; biennial audit inspections are carried out by the ACTDEC Independent Accreditation Panel. As a result, ACTDEC is able to provide regular professional quality assurance for members of the public completing an ACTDEC TESOL distance course at one of four levels.
A number of items (based on the ACTDEC Code of Practice) are subject to regular audit.
[edit] The ACTDEC Qualification Framework
ACTDEC accredits courses according to the following four levels:
- Level One - Teaching assistant
- Level Two - Associate teacher
- Level Three - Accredited Teacher Status
- Level Four - Senior teacher status
[edit] The ACTDEC teaching practice portfolio scheme
For anyone without teaching experience it's possible to undertake a two-month teaching practice development practicum where, through the completion of a Teaching Practice Portfolio maintained by the participant and sponsoring institution, teaching experience is formally recognised and rewarded.
This scheme makes it possible for teachers with Associate or Accredited Teacher status to obtain an ACTDEC Certificate of Teaching Practice Development at the end of the two-month development practicum.
The 150 & 250 hour distance programmes coupled with the ACTDEC Teaching Practice Development certificate fulfill the requirements of the British Council Accreditation Scheme.
