DIN ISO 29991:2016-07

This International Service Standard specifies requirements for language learning services outside formal education. These include any language learning services that are addressed to language learners themselves, as well as to interested parties that are acquiring the services for the benefit of learners. The key features of any such service are that the goals of learning are defined and evaluated, and that it involves interaction with the learner. The instruction can be delivered face-to-face or mediated by technology, or it can be a blend of both. Entities interested in using this International Standard will include language learning service providers of all kinds and sizes, as well as associations or consortia of language learning service providers. In cases where the language learning services are provided by an organization that delivers products (goods and services) or other learning services in addition to language learning services, this International Standard only applies to language learning services. This International Standard is not specifically aimed at schools, colleges and universities which provide language learning as part of a formal educational system but may be useful to them as a tool for reflection and self-evaluation. This International Standard uses the term 'learning services' rather than 'training' in order to encourage a focus on the learner and the results of the learning process, and to emphasize the full range of options available for language learning. The objective of this International Standard is to set minimum requirements for language-learning services. The aims of this International Standard are to improve transparency and enhance the credibility of the language-learning services market, to protect consumers by preventing prejudicial practices and to improve the quality of language learning for all interested parties. This International Standard is necessary because although in some countries the quality control of language learning services is well established, the standards applied vary greatly, and in many other countries there is limited or no regulation. The committee responsible for this standard is NA 159-02-04 AA "Bildungsdienstleistungen" ("Learning services for education") at DIN.