The Qualité FLE (Qualité français langue étrangère) certification was created by decree in 2007 to identify, recognise and promote French language schools in France providing high-standard teaching and services to foreign nationals. You’ve seen the sleek blue, white and red logo for Qualité FLE on our website, social media and at the ACCORD Paris school itself, but what does it mean exactly? What does it say about the school? How does it affect you and your fellow students? Let’s lift the lid on the certification so you can see how important it is to choose a school approved by Qualité FLE.
Qualité FLE certification
French schools and centres teaching French as a foreign language are assessed on the following five aspects of their teaching provision: French courses, teachers, support, premises and management.
Here’s a little overview of each one.
French Courses: The school must provide French language courses which meet the linguistic needs of the students. They must be based on, planned and taught in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) and detailed curricula. Students much complete an evaluation at the end of the course to assess the standard and be part of the quality improvement process to improve the learning process. Students receive a certificate stating the CEFR level of French they achieve by the end of the course.
Teachers: The school must employ qualified and competent teaching staff to provide high-standard French language courses in all areas. The recruitment process for teachers must be relevant and consistent. A sense of team spirit is encouraged as part of a continuous improvement process and participatory evaluation.
Support: Students receive all the information they need to choose a French language school that fulfils their requirements. The school must provide a warm welcome, range of activities and accommodation service to help them feel “at home” and comfortable in their new environment.
Premises: The premises and equipment must provide suitable conditions for students and staff to work in. Students gain from an environment conducive to learning so they can enjoy their time at a pleasant venue in accordance with current safety standards. The school must provide high-standard equipment and conduct regular maintenance and checks on both the premises and equipment
Management: All members of staff are clearly informed of the school’s mission, goals, strategic development plan and information about promoting and upholding quality and professional ethics. School users must be made aware of a charter or learning contract.
Book a course at a French language school accredited Qualité FLE
When you book a course at a school accredited Qualité FLE, you’re safe in the knowledge that all the criteria listed above have been taken into account. You know that the school is looking out for your needs, not just in terms of language, but also in terms of wellbeing and comfort. Just take the friendly team at ACCORD Paris who are on hand to provide support within 24 hours and even at the weekend. If you decide you want to add an extra workshop to your course at start that afternoon, no problem! Just go to the reception and let them sort it out for you. You can’t buy peace of mind, but you can get it by choosing to take your French course at a school approved by Qualité FLE, just like ACCORD Paris.
ACCORD Paris Key figures:
- +35 years (1988-2015)
- +130.000 students welcome
- +30 different nationalities
- no nationality over 13%
- a school fully air-conditioned and located at walking distance of the Eiffel Tower, in the lively 15th arrondissement
- school member of CAMPUS FRANCE, ATOUT FRANCE and SOUFFLE.FLE
Star Awards 2025: ACCORD Paris Best French Language School
This 2025 ST Award means a lot for a French Language School that offers all year round:
- 8 intensive French courses for adults (20 to 29h/week)
- 2 super intensive French language courses (32 and 35h/week)
- 2 semi intensive courses (15h/week)
- 3 programs to prepare the French exams (DELF, DALF, Abitur, A/AS level, GCSE, ILC)
- accredited Bildungsurlaub French language course
- Courses for Au Pair
- Long Term French courses (3, 6, 9 months)
- Business French courses in mini groups of 3 students max.
- French & Law courses in mini groups of 3 students max.
- 3 intensive PLUS courses
- One to one course
- Manager and Executive programs
