FELCA - GAELA
Guidelines for quality and ethical international education.
Developed jointly by FELCA and GAELA, the Global Alliance of Education and Language Association, these guidelines strengthen transparency, trust and accountability in international education — and protect student well-being throughout the study-abroad experience.
The Guidelines
Fourteen articles.
Read the articles in other languages:
01 Written agreement
For Agents and Schools
Work with your partners under a written agreement.
This helps to clarify mutual understanding, protection and responsibility for maintaining quality services
02 Partner selection
For Agents and Schools
Choose partners after meeting a key decision-maker (in person or online); the partner should be reliable and accredited or affiliated with relevant institutions or authorities, for credibility and clarity in different markets. For example: agents should preferably collaborate with schools members of a recognized national or international association of the GAELA alliance, schools preferably collaborate with agents members of a FELCA national association.
Agents should preferably collaborate with schools affiliated with a recognised national or international association of the GAELA alliance, while schools should preferably collaborate with agents affiliated with a national FELCA association.
This builds trust and confirms reliability, preventing miscommunication and poor-quality partnerships.
03 Student needs
For Agents
Choose the right school based on the student’s needs and profile
This personalises the student’s experience to maximize learning outcomes and satisfaction.
For Schools
Inform agents about the mix of nationalities, average age and availability of class level before confirming a booking
This helps agents to advise students appropriately and choose the suitable course placements.
04 Inform and prepare students
For Agents
Inform the students about the destination country, key cultural differences, expected behaviour, how to behave while living in the chosen accommodation, offer emotional support or refer them to support services if the student feels anxious or overwhelmed before or during the program.
For Schools
Provide in depth orientation upon arrival on school rules, support services, local customs and cultural norms. Provide clear guidance on how to behave respectfully in a new culture, how to behave while living in the chosen accommodation. Schools should also provide and maintain accessible welfare and counseling services for students who need extra emotional or social support.
This shared preparation and ongoing support are essential for the student’s well-being, helping them to adapt more quickly, avoid misunderstandings, feel more confident in everyday life, and reap the maximum benefit from the academic, cultural, and personal growth opportunities offered by their international experience.
05 Student information
For Agents
Sharing with the school essential personal information about students such as passport or ID number, contact details such as mobile phone number and email address, declared disabilities or medical conditions, prescribed medications (with copies of prescriptions), and travel insurance policy details. Forms should also allow students to specify their gender and preferred name.
For Schools
Inform agents of all required information needed to complete a student’s application and records.
This information enables schools and agents to communicate quickly, provide personalised support, maintain safety and meet legal requirements while the student is abroad.
06 Emergency contacts
For Schools
Provide agents with the 24/7 emergency phone numbers for the school and transfer service company. School emergency contact numbers should appear on all relevant documents.
For Agents
Pass to the student the 24/7 emergency phone numbers of the school and transfer service company – if the service has been booked – along with the agency’s 24/7 emergency number.
The agent’s emergency contact numbers should be listed on all relevant documents.
This guarantees student safety and rapid response in case of emergency, creating trust and security.
07 Transport
For Schools
Arrange transfers from and to the airport if required. Recommended for junior students.
Provide agents and students the mobile phone number of the driver and transport company (see point #6). Provide directions on how to reach the accommodation, or the school if a student does not book the transfer
This facilitates student arrival and departure logistics, reducing stress and improving the overall experience.
08 Travel insurance
For Agents
Advise students to take out a travel insurance and provide the school with the insurance policy and number on the registration form
This protects students financially and medically in case of unforeseen events abroad.
09 Satisfaction checks
For Agents
Check that the student is satisfied with course and accommodation during the first week and, subsequently, at least monthly after. Report any problem to the school promptly.
For Schools
Schools should inform agencies if a student does not show up for school on the first day or if significant problems arise, and provide a satisfaction update at the end of the first week. Schools should send a brief monthly update to the agency.
This proactively addresses issues early on, enhancing student well-being and preventing dissatisfaction.
10 Academic progress
For Schools
Monitor weekly progress in class and move students to appropriate levels as needed.
This ensures academic growth and appropriate challenges to optimize learning.
11 Teachers' qualification
For Schools
It is essential to hire accredited and qualified teachers, although qualification requirements may vary from country to country. Schools should align themselves with national regulations and recognised sector standards to maintain flexibility while upholding quality expectations. Institutions holding a quality label must also ensure that teachers have the appropriate qualification.
This maintains high teaching standards, supporting the consistent delivery of quality education.
12 Accommodation
For Agents
Assist students in choosing the accommodation that best suits their needs, from homestays (police-checked for minors), residences, shared/private flats, etc…
For Schools
Select good quality accommodation options, such as homestays (police-checked for minors), residences, shared/private flats, etc., and assist students in the event of objective problems relating to accommodation.
This provides safe and comfortable living environments, which are essential for the well-being of the student.
13 After-class activities
For Agents and Schools
Recognise that well-organized after-school activities are an integral of the learning experience
This supports language practice and cultural immersion outside the classroom, enhancing the overall experience.
14 Feedback
For Agents and Schools
Send a feedback questionnaire at the end of the course and share the relevant responses with the partner school/agent
For Schools
Have a complaints procedure and also a mediator, if mandatory in the country where the school is located
This gathers valuable feedback for continuous improvement and measurement of student satisfaction, and helps students who encounter difficulties.
List of Felca agencies and Gaela schools that adhere the Guidelines
These Guidelines are approved by the following members of FELCA and GAELA.
Only agencies belonging to National Associations that are members of Felca, and only schools belonging to National Associations that are members of Gaela, may display the official Felca Gaela Guidelines logo.
Agencies
–
with active seal
Schools
–
with active seal
Agencies
224
with active seal
Schools
46
with active seal
Are you a school? Are you an agency?
I want to adhere to the Felca Gaela Guidelines.
Please complete this online form to adhere to the Felca Gaela Guidelines. Then submit the form. You will receive an email confirming receipt of your request and, shortly afterwards, an email with instructions on how to download and use the Felca Gaela Guidelines logo.