À propos TANDEM International
TANDEM International e.V. is an association of private, independent language schools for German and Spanish, founded in 2001 as a network of non-profit language schools. The association operates schools in Germany, Spain, and Chile, with all member schools sharing a common goal of motivating people to learn German or Spanish while embracing other cultures.
TANDEM International promotes intercultural understanding through language learning and operates under the principle that learning languages and getting to know foreign cultures are inseparable. Each member school maintains its own identity and marketing strategies while adhering to jointly defined, verifiable quality standards. The association uses modern, communicative teaching methods and offers the unique TANDEM® Language Exchange method, which connects people through language partnerships.
The term TANDEM is now a protected trademark of TANDEM International e.V. in more than 15 countries. The association was initiated by the foundation "TANDEM Fundazioa" in Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain, and became a German-Spanish association in 2022.
Conditions d'adhésion
TANDEM International has strict requirements for member schools to ensure quality and consistency across the network:
Quality Standards:
- All member schools must meet the association's internal quality criteria
- Schools must have a nationally or internationally recognized seal of excellence
- Schools undergo a comprehensive acceptance process that evaluates language teaching, cultural programs, and other services
Teaching Requirements:
- Teachers must be native speakers with university degrees and long-standing experience in foreign language teaching
- Teams must participate in regular training to apply the latest teaching methods and principles
- Schools must use modern, communicative teaching methods that support independent learning
Organizational Requirements:
- Schools must be mostly registered associations or cooperatives
- Many decisions on school operations must be taken together as a team
- Schools must ensure appropriate pay for all staff, with wages and working hours complying with local law
- Excellent customer service with personalized assistance and professional response to inquiries
Social Responsibility:
- Schools must support sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible tourism
- Cooperation with social and cultural initiatives and environmental associations
- Active support of campaigns and projects, choosing fair-trade products
- Promotion of public transport use and green/recyclable products
Innovation:
- Schools must be innovators, constantly developing new course offerings
- Ability to combine language courses with culture, online courses, or exam preparation
Procédure de réclamation et d'arbitrage
TANDEM International maintains quality through its internal quality management system and certification process. The association has a structured approach to quality assurance:
Quality Certification:
- Internal quality certification for member schools through the TANDEM Quality seal
- Regular evaluation of schools' facilities, administration, human resources, teaching standards, cultural programs, services, customer care, and transparency in promotional activities
Membership Evaluation:
- Two staff members from the association visit schools applying for membership
- Comprehensive evaluation of management, administration, quality seals, marketing approaches, teaching methods, lesson plans, and accommodation services
- Reports are presented to the Board and relevant language group (German or Spanish)
- All members vote on new admissions
Ongoing Quality Control:
- Annual membership fees ensure ongoing participation and commitment
- Regular meetings of school representatives to plan joint projects
- Constant dialogue and inter-school cooperation for quality improvement
While specific complaint procedures are not detailed on the website, the association's structure suggests that issues would be addressed through the Board and language group representatives, with the annual meetings providing a forum for addressing concerns and improvements.
Informations générales
TANDEM International operates through a well-structured organizational framework:
Leadership Structure:
- 1st Chairperson: Marcelo Ávalos (TANDEM Munich, Germany)
- 2nd Chairperson: Begoña Llovet (TANDEM Madrid, Spain)
- Coordinator: Klaus Führmann (ZDSK/TANDEM Frankfurt, Germany)
Language Groups:
- German courses in Germany: Coordinated by Werner Riebe (CASA Bremen/TANDEM Bremen)
- Spanish courses in Spain: Coordinated by Margarete Fortmann (Escuela Montalbán/TANDEM Granada)
- Spanish courses in South America: Coordinated by Stefan Meffert (TANDEM Santiago, Chile)
Member School Accreditations:
- Spain: Instituto Cervantes accredited, D.E.L.E. and SIELE exam centers, FEDELE membership
- Chile: D.E.L.E. and SIELE exam centers, ACHELE membership
- Germany: TestDaF exam centers, TELC language exams, Weiterbildung Hamburg recognition
Key Features:
- TANDEM® Language Exchange method (trademarked learning approach)
- Small, manageable learning groups
- Cultural activities and local life integration
- Accommodation assistance (host families, student residences, hotels)
- Local language partner arrangements
- Focus on intercultural communication and understanding
The association is open to new members who meet national and internal quality standards, with representatives meeting annually to plan joint projects and maintain the network's collaborative approach.
Coordonnées
Main Office:
TANDEM International e.V.
Rödelheimer Bahnweg, 31
60489 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)69 - 777171
Website: https://tandem-schools.com/
Coordinator: Klaus Führmann (ZDSK/TANDEM Frankfurt)
Type: International Association of Independent Language Schools
Languages: German and Spanish
Locations: Germany, Spain, and Chile
Founded: 2001
Legal Status: German registered association (e.V.)
Trademark: TANDEM® (protected in 15+ countries)