The scope of the certification covers French language training, with the exception of teacher and trainer training courses, and a range of peripheral services surrounding the provision of French as foreign language classes, such as hosting facilities, premises, equipment and management.
The certification is awarded for a period of 4 years once the Interministerial Certification Committee has approved the application. It can, however, be awarded for a shorter period of time and recommendations made to enable the centre in question to resubmit its application for certification.
Stars are awarded in each field (these stars are under no circumstances to be applied to the centre itself). Stars are awarded as follows:
- three stars for a score of between 2.31/3 and 3/3 in a given field;
- two stars for a score of between 1.70/3 and 2.30/3 in a given field;
- one star for a score of between 1.00/3 and 1.69/3 in the 'Hosting and support', 'Premises, safety and equipment' and 'Management' fields;
- one star for a score of between 1.50/3 and 1.69/3 in the 'Teaching and training courses' and 'Teachers' fields;
These are accompanied by a key that features on the documents submitted to the centre:
*** The centre satisfies the quality requirements of the framework.
** The centre satisfies most of the quality requirements of the framework but some aspects need to be improved.
* The centre partially satisfies the quality requirements of the framework. Any instances of non-compliance observed must be quickly rectified.
The certification is awarded based on a framework that covers the following five fields:
Teaching and training courses
The French as a foreign language training courses offered by the centre are designed to meet the linguistic needs of students and are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) and detailed curricula. The ways in which the classes are prepared and delivered are consistent with the CERFL and the curricula. Students evaluate the training courses and are involved in the quality improvement process in order to optimise the learning process. At the end of the training they receive a certificate testifying to the CERFL level they have reached.
Teachers
The centre employs qualified and competent teaching staff that enable it to ensure the quality of the various types of training offered. Teachers at the centre are recruited in accordance with an appropriate and coherent procedure. A team spirit is encouraged as part of the quest for continuous improvement and through participatory assessment.
Hosting and support
Students and trainees receive all of the information they need to choose a centre in accordance with their needs. In order to ease their integration into the centre and into a new environment the centre offers a warm welcome, a variety of activities and an accommodation support service.
Premises, safety and equipment
The premises and equipment provide both students and staff with satisfactory conditions in which to work. Students benefit from an environment that is conducive to learning and to an enjoyable stay at a pleasant venue and in accordance with the relevant safety standards. The centre provides them with high-quality equipment and ensures that both the premises and its equipment are regularly maintained.
Management
All staff are provided with a clear description of the institution's purposes and strategic objectives, a strategic plan for its development, and a copy of its commitment with regards to promoting and maintaining quality and professional ethics. Users of the centre are made aware of a charter or learning contract-type document.