Language and information technology school, translation office

Charter of the Principles of the Glossa School

1. Who are we?

• a tailor-made language and IT school with personalized programs and flexible schedules
  • a fast and competent translation office for translations of every need and requirement
  • a school where everyone can achieve their goals in different fields
  • a non-profit association (Poliglotta alla Glossa) supporting language education and basic skills for all vulnerable target groups (refugees, asylum seekers, and foreign-language speakers in Ticino)

2. Which common values form the basis of our activities?

• a familiar, healthy, and serene classroom environment
  • bringing together different nationalities, religions, and cultures
  • making all our skills and professionalism available

3. What objectives do we want to achieve and how?

• paying attention to professional development
  • continuous research into modern methodologies and teaching approaches
  • integrating recent developments
  • supporting language education and basic skills for all vulnerable target groups

4. How do we organize and manage the school and create a good working atmosphere?

• accurate information and concrete answers
  • consideration of different levels and active participation
  • careful lesson planning
  • reducing students’ fears and tensions and maintaining personal contact
  • open communication
  • integration of new teaching techniques
  • integration of different cultures through language skills

5. What are our fundamental principles?

• analysis of needs and abilities
  • drafting programs according to objectives
  • choosing the most suitable methodology
  • maximum flexibility
  • application of both traditional and modern teaching aids
  • encouraging and motivating learners
  • independent work
  • highlighting difficulties, discussing them, and proposing solutions to problems
  • informing learners about the results achieved
  • maintaining contact with the authorities

6. The importance of the school’s stakeholder groups

• all members of the school contribute to the achievement of the intended purposes and objectives
  • criticism is welcome
  • collaboration with authorities and cantonal offices

7. How do we implement and ensure quality control in our school?

• achieved results are synonymous with quality
  • feedback from students
  • suggestions from the teaching staff
  • feedback among colleagues
  • feedback between colleagues and teaching staff
  • team meetings

8. Which development goals and training or updating elements do we prioritize?

• continuing education courses
  • new methodologies and linguistic changes
  • collaboration with other schools and educational institutions

9. Certificate or review report of the quality management system used, or description of the institution’s quality concept

• detailed information on program contents
  • definition of objectives and methodology
  • subject-matter expertise

10. Report on a pedagogical seminar or description of the adapted pedagogical/andragogical reflection system

• pedagogical/andragogical meetings according to the number of courses
  • exchanges of opinions and views
  • visits from colleagues
  • reports available upon request from the school

11. Evaluation report of a training course

• evaluations of German, Italian, and English courses by the Active Measures Office (UMA) in Bellinzona are available
  • auditors of the eduQua quality certificate
  • forms and questionnaires completed by students and teachers
  • evaluations by cantonal offices such as UMA and SIS

12. Statistics and analysis of dropouts and exam success rates

• reports available at the school

13. Profile of the qualifications required for trainers

• subject-matter experts
  • competent in pedagogical, andragogical, psychological, and methodological fields
  • committed to continuous professional development

14. Description of the needs analysis and comparison with competing institutions

• needs analysis and assessment of previously acquired knowledge
  • respect for the participant’s personal, cultural, and professional background
  • market analysis
  • continuous analysis of participants’ needs

15. Report of a course visit

• educational visits by colleagues and invited experts
  • reports available at the school

16. Participant selection procedure

• aptitude tests
  • analysis of wishes and needs
  • responding to the needs of the canton and companies

17. Description of the tools used to measure customer satisfaction

• interviews with students
  • evaluation forms, including anonymous ones
  • guest book
  • mid-course and final evaluation questionnaires