INTERNATIONAL HOUSE of Barcelona, Spain

International House is a worldwide organization whose basic aim has always been to improve the standard of language teaching by emphasizing the need for research and on-going teacher training.

IH Barcelona was established in 1972 and has since become a recognized leader both for language instruction and for teacher training. The school building is located in the center of the city, just a five minute walk from Plaza Catalunya, the city’s main square. It occupies five floors of an elegant Barcelona town house which dates from the beginning of the last century.

Apart from the reception area and administrative offices, there are 35 spacious classrooms, a classroom equipped with computers linked to the internet, a library and self-study center, a conference room, a cafeteria that is open all day and a terrace where students can relax and practice their Spanish in the sunshine.

Program Strengths

• A very stylish, cosmopolitan city
• Larger, beautiful school in the heart of Barcelona
• Outstanding teaching method
• Variety of accommodations
• Food, architecture, art!

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE ACCREDITATION

• The school is committed to providing opportunities for language study in a teaching/learningenvironment of high quality and within a clearly organised curriculum framework.
• The school accepts a responsibility to take all reasonable steps to ensure the welfare and safety of their students while they are on school premises. In addition, the school agrees to work towards making provision for students with disabilities.
• The school has and makes known to students a clearly specified procedure for dealing with students' complaints and grievances, and for dealing with indiscipline, should it arise.
• The school guarantees the following educational standards:
  High teaching and educational standards; the school’s classrooms, facilities, and resources are of an acceptable standard and adequate for their purposes; Professional conduct and integrity; Regular independent inspections to maintain standards. All IH schools submit all language teaching courses and services to regular inspections and advisory visits by IH inspectors.
• Total accuracy and veracity of all information and publicity, including:
  • a stipulated number of taught hours per course
  • a stipulated maximum number of students per group
  • a specified age-range for courses
  • a clear description of the cost of tuition and of other services and materials
• Accurate placement-testing to determine the student's level of language competence. 
• Appropriate and effective teaching methods.
• Appropriate, regular assessments, reports and end-of-course assessment procedures leading to an IH Certificate of attainment.
• Experienced and competent teachers working under the supervision of an appropriately qualified Director of Studies.

Other Accreditations

EAQUALS certified.  EAQUALS is an international association that promotes and guarantees quality in language teaching institutions. Accredited members are committed to the continuous development of academic excellence.  EAQUALS verifies this commitment in regular inspections focusing not only on the maintenance of high standards but also on the rationale and ethos of the approach to curriculum, the quality of teaching, teacher management, services to students and quality management.

Certified by the European Union's Eco- Management and Audit Scheme. The aim of EMAS is to publicly recognise those organisations that go beyond minimum legal compliance and continuously improve their environmental performance. By using fewer raw materials, consuming less energy and producing less waste companies can significantly lessen the impact they have on the environment and also become more competitive.