The Accreditation Council for TESOL Distance Education Courses or ACTDEC is an independent, non-profit-making body founded in 1993 to seek to ensure quality in TESOL distance-learning courses. ACTDEC is currently listed as a Company Limited by Guarantee.
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History
ACTDECs first Chair, and one of its driving forces, was Dr W. R. Lee, who was also responsible for ACTDEC's Code of Practice and accreditation procedures. Dr Lee was also a significant figure in the establishment and early development of IATEFL.
Course levels
The courses and qualification levels framework was originally proposed by Monica Vincent of the Overseas Development Authority. The status titles she suggested were subsequently adopted by ACTDEC.
Staff
ACTDEC is headed by its Patron Professor Arthur van Essen. A Secretary and Treasurer are elected annually at the AGM, which is held at the English Speaking Union in London. ACTDEC's current Chair is Kenneth Milgate BA (Hons), MIL, MA, M.Ed, Dip.FE, FCollT (TESOL). Chair of the ACTDEC Independent Accreditation panel: Jacqueline Sykes BA (Hons), LTCL (TESOL), Dip.TESOL, MA TESOL.