FAQ

Language schools
How do I learn a foreign language quickly?

It’s easy to take the wrong step by falling for slogans promising miracle methods and lightning-fast progress. Learning a foreign language is difficult and requires a certain amount of effort, so self-motivation and patience are important in the beginning.
Professional diagnosis and identification of the learning needs of the individual student is also a prerequisite for success. Experienced tutors speak with students in the target language from the very beginning, work with excellent modern textbooks and are able to recommend suitable supplementary activities to do at home.
It is also advisable to support foreign language learning by listening or reading in the foreign language to a degree appropriate to your current language level or by taking a trip abroad where you will be best and fastest able to speak.

How should I choose a language school?

First and foremost, the school must physically exist, have equipped classrooms, technology and facilities for teachers with a sufficient range of learning materials.
A quality school meets the demanding criteria defined by an international or national association, follows a quality code and ethical principles, is inspected and audited, has a director of studies and methodologists who carefully select their teachers, train them, further educate them and are available as consultants and mentors.
It is also important to guarantee an optimum number of students of the same language level per group.

How do I know a good tutor?

A good tutor’s reputation accompanies them. Have someone recommended to you who has a perfect command of the language and can prove their knowledge with a language test. A capable teacher is fully qualified, enjoys the language and understands it from a linguistic point of view. He or she has an internationally recognised teaching certificate, comes to class prepared, listens carefully to you and provides regular feedback on your strengths and weaknesses.

How do I complain?

A good school will give you the opportunity to complain and is able to respond flexibly, assess the situation, talk to the teacher and students and replace the teacher if necessary.
A solution can always be found! However, a prerequisite for success is that you express your dissatisfaction without hesitation and without fear as soon as the problem becomes apparent. It is only natural that something goes wrong and by the end of the course it is usually too late.

Association of Language Schools
What is the Association and what is it for?

The Association of Language Schools (AJS) is a professional association of language schools, which was formed in 2015 by the merger of ACERT – Association of Certified Language Schools and AJŠA – Association of Language Schools and Agencies of the Czech Republic. It is currently the only association of language schools and agencies in the Czech Republic.

The mission of AJŠ is to promote quality language education in the Czech Republic. We pride ourselves on the fact that our members provide quality and professional language services to their clients.

Who can become a member?

Any legal or natural person involved in language education can become a full member of the Association of Language Schools if they meet the membership requirements, have paid the membership fee and have been approved as a member by the AJS Membership Meeting.

How do I become a member and what do I need to do to become a member?

The applicant must meet the following membership requirements:

has foreign language teaching as its business or object of activity,
agrees with the mission and statutes of the Association,
has been in business for at least 3 years,
the applicant has completed at least 3000 teaching hours per year (a teaching hour is defined as a 45-minute teaching unit) during the past 3 years,
is not bankrupt or in liquidation,
no criminal proceedings have been brought against the members of the statutory bodies of legal entities and natural persons entrepreneurs in connection with their business activities,
has no arrears to state administration and local government authorities.

If you meet these conditions, click here and fill in the form.

What is the difference between a certified and a non-certified member?

A certified member has not only fulfilled the membership requirements, but has also had the quality of their services verified by the Association of Language Schools’ Quality Language Education Certification Audit and has received a certificate from the independent Language Teaching Centre of Masaryk University, certifying compliance with the terms of the Certification Audit.

How long does the membership last?

Membership lasts for the duration of the fee, which is paid once a year.

How much does it cost?

For the membership fee you pay a progressive fee for 1 calendar year.
For the affiliate fee you will pay £8,000 for 1 calendar year.

Conference
Who is the conference for and what will I learn there?

The conference is designed for foreign language teachers in primary, secondary and private language schools. It provides a unique opportunity to learn about the latest trends in foreign language teaching and to attend presentations by global publishers, international exam providers and e-learning providers.

The opportunity to meet colleagues informally, exchange experiences and establish cooperation is invaluable.

How often does the conference take place?

The conference is held once a year.

How can I attend the conference?

Simply register on time and pay the participation fee. Keep an eye on our website and the “Conferences” section.

How can I become a partner?

Please contact us for more information about partnerships.

Will I receive a confirmation of participation?

Yes! Each conference participant will receive a certificate of completion of the training program. The conference is accredited by the Ministry of Education.