The Arguments For And The Meaning Of interpretation in the context of education,

Quality associating it to the lessons, results,

Helen Thomas___________________ resources,etc but Thomas contemplates
some questions which imply that it does not
ELT Journal, 2003, Volume 57/3____ exist a clear concept of quality. Only some
Oxford University Press___________ features are mentioned but not a clear idea.
So, Thomas argues “to take improvement as
a definition for quality leaves many
According to the title of the Thomas’ article unanswered questions” (p. 235).
“The Arguments For And The Meaning Of
Quality”, the concept of this term used The subtible 2 is “Economic Arguments” in
frequently in different contexts would have a which Thomas explains the way how several
greater clarity for potential readers. The associations play a role in quality of English
article affirms the exploration for several language teaching in different countries, at
elements related to this topic in order to the same time she questions the reasons for
“seek a rationale and meaning for quality for doing it, mentioning the interest for assuring
all practitioners” (p. 234). their business and generate income. We can
see the article is contextualized in private
Before addressing the issue of how the institution of ELT in Britain.
quality is clearly defined and all aspects that
it influences, I will describe the organization The subtitle 3 is “Political Arguments” and
of the article, and present the mean ideas of it mentions the reasons to create “agreed
the content. quality standards”, other concept that is
fundamental to know. Thomas says how this
The article is divided in eight subtitles, element could help students to avoid
accompanied by the respective introduction “cowboy” language schools and to choose
and conclusion. The introduction presents excellent institutions to learn English. At the
how the concept of quality is used in same time, it considers how some bodies of
different situations of the daily life. It sets accreditation could facilitate to some
some examples of this. Moreover, Thomas countries to achieve friends for a political
connects the concept to the educational aim. In this point, Thomas asks the question
context, exactly the English Language “…are the agreed standards?” which it is not
Teaching (ELT). answered clearly.
The first subtitle is related to the definition The subtible 4 is about the The State sector”.
of quality in education. A term that is So, it explains the use of term quality in the
necessary to know for doing an effective state education, how the national curriculum
reading of the article. Thomas mentions the could be a tool for controlling the autonomy
struggle for the variety of definitions, among of institutions by means of OFSTED. The
them: excellence, improvement and fitness goverment try to assure the higher
for purpose. She emphasises the education, and use the term quality for
improvement which is an aceptable providing this accountability. To this point
we can see several features of quality, but of the quality” (p. 239). Thomas emphasizes
not a clear concept of what it means in the an idea that I consider fundamental for
ELT. quality, that is “We must look at the how,
the what, and the what for: quality is process
The subtitle 5 is “Quality Goals”. Thomas
and product, and the relevance of the
goes back to the term “standards”, asking
product (p. 240).
“What are these standards?” and she
explains how they are the basis for Despite of the interesting reading and the all
accreditation of institutions. She does not aspects about quality that are explained in
going into details about the definition but the article, there are some points that I
she gives a simple idea about the standards consider could have been explained better in
are. order to facilitate to readers the
comprehension of the topic. It is clear that
The subtitle 6 about the “time frame”
the article uses a technical language belong
affirms how the process for accreditation is
to the educational field. That is the case of
developed in a defined period. Documents,
some terms like “quality, standards and
visits, and the outcomes are evaluated in a
accreditation” whose definitions are
specific dates. Thomas remarks the stress
important in order to understand all ideas
caused by these visits and how they can be
expressed by Thomas. If the article is read
managed by the institutions, which are
for a person that is starting his work in the
proficient at covering their weaknesses.
educational field maybe she or he will not
Thomas makes us think if the accreditation
find clear concepts to know. However, I do
visits really get to the quality of what is
not deny the excellent work done by Thomas
going on. This is a good point to analyze:
in this publication.
the development of the assessment process
in order to certify quality. It is clear for me that the definitions of
quality and standard are complex, and we
The subtitle 7 called “Professionalism”
can only take in account some aspects of this
exalts the role of the teachers and lectures
in order to have an idea about they are. So,
who want to improve their work with
Thomas makes a good work showing all
students. Thomas, from her experience,
arguments related to quality, and although
mentions an important benefits of the
we do not have one concept of these terms
quality, that is to provoque a positive
we could enjoy an excellent reading.
impact.
The reviewer________________________
The subtitle 8 is “Fitness of purpose”, one of
the aspects to define quality in the Katerine Gómez is a student of Foreign
educational field. Thomas says how the Languages, and teacher of primary school in
“department decides what it is going to teach Institución Educativa Técnica Comercial de
and how” and at the same time, she argues Ponedera, where she has analized different
in a accurate way “the relevance or aspects and strategies to achieve the quality
appropriateness of what we teach is also part in the teaching and learning process.