The Spanish Federation of Associations of Spanish Schools for Foreigners (FEDELE) has a federal structure and is made up of six Associations of Spanish Schools for Foreigners. 

Each of these associations has its own legal characteristics, although there are common guidelines, a code of ethics for daily operations and monitored quality standards that apply to all.

 

There are currently 75 language schools under the FEDELE umbrella, whose primary task is teaching Spanish for foreigners.  The FEDELE schools teach a full range of Spanish, and that is why history and cultural diversity are constants in our activity.  It is no coincidence that we bring together schools from the Canary Islands, Andalusia, Castilla and Leon, Catalunya, the Community of Valencia, the Community of Madrid and the Basque Country.

 

Ever since its inception, one of FEDELE’s main objectives has been to offer quality in each of its schools.  These schools have therefore met quality standards and either been awarded the denomination of “Center Accredited by the Cervantes Institute”, or they have passed a quality inspection and received the official stamp of CEELE.

The possession of at least one of these two quality seals is an essential condition for a school to be admitted into its corresponding regional or national association and thus be a member of FEDELE.  The quality controls are a very serious and trustworthy guarantee for students as well as for the agents that work with our schools.  In line with this concern for quality, FEDELE has drawn up internal guidelines which are described in the LETTER OF QUALITY.  This letter commits all schools to upholding certain standards in each of the services they offer (installations, teaching staff, programs, lodging, reception, activities, insurance, etc.).

Besides the aforementioned letter, FEDELE has formulated a declaration of Students’ Rights and Duties and has set up the figure of the Student’s Ombudsman, an institution that is aware of the complaints that a student may have.  The independence of the Student’s Ombudsman with respect to any school or institution is a guarantee for any student who seeks help in resolving a problem.  The plan of action is: independence of criteria, speed in resolution, and the capability of obligating a school to accept its quality standards.  This is a completely new system for language programs at a worldwide level and places FEDELE among the most serious and respectful organizations toward students and agents.

 

FEDELE also collaborates with all international organizations that work in this field.  We are working on the normalization process for the teaching of mother tongues in Europe, actively participating in ECN (European Center for Normalization) meetings, a founding member of ELITE, and participating with GAELA and FELCA.  The two Spanish organizations most intimately linked to the promotion of Spanish in the world and in the spreading of the Spanish language and culture, TURESPAÑA and the CERVANTES INSTITUTE respectively, have signed on to a collaboration agreement with FEDELE to advance a comprehensive quality policy and the international promotion of Spanish studies.

 

The stellar reputation that the product SPANISH IN SPAIN is currently enjoying is due, among other factors, to the professionalism and dedication of its teachers, the friendliness and warm reception of Spanish families, the good quality/price relation of the courses and services, the communicative character of Spanish society and Spain’s cultural richness and varied landscape.