The preparation of a language programme for accreditation in the UNIcert® system requires the fulfilment of sub-objectives, which represent a checklist of steps necessary to design and build a quality language programme, guaranteeing quality outcomes, i.e. a well-prepared graduate of the programme.
Even though this is a theoretical construct, because in reality the different aspects overlap, the design of a high-quality language programme can be broken into the following stages, the materialisation of which
represents the main qualitative indicators:
· Identification of the needs
· Identification of the initial language command level
· Identification of the stages of the learning process
· Identification of the language teacher profiles
· Identification of the study and teaching materials
· Identification of the level(s) of the outcomes
· Introduction of the language programme to the curriculum of the Higher Education Institution in question
The accreditation of programmes and examinations in the UNIcert® system is carried out according to the criteria established by the UNIcert® system, which are open to modifications resulting from national and institutional differences in the different member states and educational systems. The basic conditions can be summarised in the following points:
1. Higher Education Institutions interested in accrediting or re-accrediting language programmes and examinations in the UNIcert® system can contact the members of the UNIcert®LUCE Scientific Committee by letter or by e-mail at unicert.luce@uniba.sk if they have any questions about the UNIcert® system. A member of the UNIcert®LUCE Scientific Committee will provide the candidate with the instructions necessary to submit an application for accreditation or re-accreditation. The application form is available at www.unicertluce.sk in the Documents section.
2. The UNIcert®LUCE Scientific Committee will provide technical assistance to candidates in the preparation of the materials to be submitted to it for accreditation or re-accreditation of language programmes and examinations.
3. Higher Education Institutions seeking accreditation or re-accreditation of language programmes and examinations in the UNIcert® system should deliver the completed application with the relevant annexes either to the UNIcert®LUCE address (Tomáš Hamar, PhDr., PhD, Institute of Medical Terminology and Foreign Languages, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University Bratislava, Špitálska 24, 813 72 Bratislava or as an attachment to the following e-mail address: unicert.luce@uniba.sk).
4. The submitted materials must comply with the terms of the UNIcert® language teaching and certification system. Information is available on the website www.unicertluce.sk.
5. The annex to the application for accreditation or re-accreditation by the UNIcert®LUCE Scientific Committee must include a full description of the language teaching programme (i.e. objectives, classroom hours, target level in all four skills, methodology, detailed syllabus including bibliographic records of teaching texts, etc. (see below)).
6. A Higher Education Institution that obtains accreditation or re-accreditation of a language teaching and examination programme in the UNIcert® system will receive a certificate specifying the exact level and language programme to which the accreditation or re-
accreditation applies. This certificate is issued for each additional accredited language programme of the Higher Education Institution.
7. In order to be accredited for UNIcert® certificates, a Higher Education Institution must submit for accreditation examination regulations containing: a. a detailed description of the language level achieved; b. a description of the structure of the examinations and the time allocated to the verification of each skill; c. the way in which each skill is assessed; d. the way in which the assessment is reported; e. a list of the members of the Examination Committee by name.
8. The application for accreditation or re-accreditation of language programmes and examinations in the UNIcert® system must include a complete list of teachers and examiners. All language teachers and examiners (except examiners from the field of study) must be members of the CASALC (Czech and Slovak Association of Language Centres) association. Proof of membership shall be requested from the CASALC office and attached to the application for accreditation of language programmes and examinations in the UNIcert® system.
9. When assessing programmes submitted for accreditation or re-accreditation of language programmes and examinations in the UNIcert® system, the members of the UNIcert®LUCE Scientific Committee act objectively and professionally according to the established criteria. The UNIcert®LUCE Scientific Committee shall comment on the accreditation or re-accreditation of language programmes and examinations without undue delay.
10. An institution that has received accreditation or re-accreditation of a language programme and examinations in the UNIcert® system shall designate one full-time staff member to represent the institution in the UNIcert® network. The name of the staff member will be listed on the UNIcert®LUCE website as the contact person for the accredited programme.
11. The institution applying for accreditation or re-accreditation of a language programme and examinations in the UNIcert® system agrees to the attendance of representatives of the UNIcert®LUCE Scientific Committee at classes or examinations of the accredited programme.
12. The institution applying for accreditation or re-accreditation of language programmes and examinations in the UNIcert® system agrees to provide samples of the examination tests and copies of completed test sheets or papers required for the UNIcert® examination.
13. The institution applying for accreditation or re-accreditation of language teaching and examination programmes in the UNIcert® system agrees to provide statistical data on language teaching and examination programmes for the needs of the UNIcert® network central offices.
14. Prior to the expiry of the accreditation, UNIcert®LUCE may, at the request of the institution, re-accredit successful language teaching and examination programmes in the UNIcert® system on the basis of precisely defined conditions.
15. The accreditation of language programmes and examinations in the UNIcert® system may be withdrawn by UNIcert®LUCE at any time if an institution seriously breaches the conditions of accreditation.
An accredited programme can be reaccredited after three years. Applications for accreditation or reaccreditation are submitted annually on two dates:
· Spring – 01 June of the current year
· Autumn – 01 November of the current year
DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED WHEN APPLYING FOR ACCREDITATION OR RE-ACCREDITATION OF THE LANGUAGE PROGRAMME AND EXAMINATIONS IN THE UNICERT® SYSTEM
The applicant organisation (university, faculty, language institute/department, language teaching centre, etc.) shall submit an application for accreditation or re-accreditation of the language programme and examinations in the UNIcert® system to the UNIcert®LUCE Scientific Committee. The application shall be signed by the representative of the applicant organisation responsible for the institution. The application can be accessed at www.unicertluce.sk in the Documents section. It contains the following information:
1 the name of the language programme,
2 the level of the language programme and the UNIcert® examinations,
3 the name of the teachers teaching in the programme,
4 a statement that the applicant organisation’s infrastructure supports quality language teaching (number of students per group, room facilities with technology, etc.).
The application shall be accompanied by documentation containing the following information:
1 the name of the language programme,
2 identification of the language programme’s exit level and UNIcert® exams,
3 the number of contact hours (min. 120),
4 the objectives of the language programme (in the form of descriptors categorised according to criteria 1-4 (see UNIcert®LUCE Language Programme Specification)),
5 a brief syllabus,
6 a description of the methodology,
7 a list of study and teaching materials,
8 confirmation of membership of the CASALC (Czech and Slovak Association of Language Centres) association of the foreign language teachers teaching in the programme,
9 an extract from an institutional document confirming the inclusion of the language programme in regular teaching (minutes of the dean’s college, rector’s college, board of trustees, etc.),
10 examination regulations,
11 a list of the members of the examination committee, including:
11.1. chairperson,
11.2. members.
PAYMENTS FOR ACCREDITATION/REACCREDITATION OF PROGRAMMES IN THE UNICERT® SYSTEM
The fees for membership of the UNIcert® system and for the accreditation/reaccreditation of a language programme are as follows:
Participation in the UNIcert® system is an annual fee of EUR 100.00 (i.e. 3 x EUR 100.00 for a three-year accreditation).
The one-off administrative fee for accreditation/re-accreditation is EUR 33.20/1 accredited or re-accredited programme.