What is GAELA?

What is GAELA?

GAELA (the Global Alliance of Education and Language Associations) was formed in 2000.

GAELA’s aims are as follows:

To forge bonds between associations promoting language learning by study abroad and provide a forum for exchange of information.

To promote and improve the profile of study abroad for the purposes of language learning and cultural understanding.

To promote the adoption of comparable standards in language teaching and aim to ensure, for the benefit of students, regulation of providers where there is none.

To present views to governments on topics such as regulation and quality assurance and student mobility, drawing on international comparisons and evidence.

To collect information and data on the “language learning by study abroad sector” of the education market.

To share initiatives to develop professionalism in all areas of language learning by study abroad.

To communicate with bodies representing language travel agents on issues of mutual importance, with the aim of improving the quality of service to students.

What do Associations do?

Although associations vary in their operations from country to country, generally they all aim to establish a high professional and ethical standard in the work of their member colleges, assist their member colleges in providing high quality educational programs and assist, strengthen and promote the interests of the language industry and their member colleges.

Associations generally have four main areas of focus:

support and promotion of quality language training and support services;
representation and lobbying;
profiling and promotion;
provision of a comprehensive range of membership services.

Why do language centres become members of an Association?

Students and agents look for ways of assuring the quality of the learning experience. Becoming a member of an association is one of the most valuable ways a language centre can choose to demonstrate that they believe in improving the quality of the student experience and that they support the valuable work that Associations do on behalf of the global industry.

Why should students choose to study at a language centre which is a member of a GAELA Association?

Although associations vary in their operations from country to country, they are all working towards maintaining and improving standards within the language learning industry. If you study with one of their member colleges, you can feel confident that you will have a positive learning experience.