Author: Ed Itor

NEAS Online is a comprehensive platform for ELT practitioners to enhance their expertise, engage in professional exchange, and contribute to the advancement of quality in ELT. It encompasses a range of features to support professional development in ELT and includes core courses and workshops, Communities of Practice (COPs), a NEAS Master Practitioner track, NEAS conferences, the NEAS International Workshop Series as well as the NEAS Library.

Core courses and workshops on NEAS Online are designed to develop foundational competencies in understanding Quality Assurance (QA) in ELT, while workshops are interactive and cover diverse topics in ELT and QA, catering to sector’s needs for continuous improvement and the enhancement of best practice.

Master Practitioner Track

The NEAS Master Practitioner Track is for those ELT Professionals who aspire to become a certified Master Practitioner. This advanced program aims to elevate experienced practitioners by taking you through NEAS core courses, an area of specialisation, and then onwards to undertake the prestigious Master Practitioner certification.

Yearly NEAS Conferences

NEAS hosts Conferences that bring together professionals, educators, and stakeholders in English language education. These events provide opportunities for networking, learning about innovative practices, and discussing emerging challenges.

NEAS International Workshop Series

The NEAS International Workshop Series offers in-depth workshops conducted by international experts, covering cutting-edge methodologies, technologies, and strategies in English Language Teaching (ELT) and Quality Assurance.

The workshops feature outstanding virtual presentations and content from teachers and Academic Managers at ELT Centres in Thailand, Vietnam, Ukraine and Australia.

NEAS Library

If you have missed a ‘live’ event, you can catch-up in the NEAS Library.

If you have a particular area of interest in ELT that you’d like to deep dive into, then the library is where you will find what you are looking for. The NEAS PD library allows you to peruse our past webinars, explore our Quality Learning Series and undertake the Industry Masterclass Series.

Communities of Practice

NEAS facilitates and supports Communities of Practice (COPs), fostering collaborative learning environments where ELT professionals can exchange ideas, knowledge and share best practice, while staying up to date with industry trends.

COPs currently supported by NEAS include School Preparation (HSP & PSP), Arts Based Pedagogy in ELT, ELT Qualifications, Research in Quality Assurance, Leadership in ELT and Education Agents.

January 2024

Communities of Practice: Leadership in ELT – Join us for an engaging afternoon of practical presentations, insightful discussions, and networking opportunities at the NEAS Leadership in ELT COP event as we explore the theme “Elevate & Collaborate: Nurturing Growth through Teacher Training and Collegiality in ELT“. There will be a special focus on NEAS requirements for teacher qualifications and tips on assessing teacher qualifications.

Suitable for managers and teachers, this workshop will provide a platform for mutual learning, collaboration, and the exchange of insights to collectively elevate the standard of English Language Teaching. 

This workshop is held in collaboration with Study Gold Coast and will feature expert presentations followed by a panel discussion and a Study Gold Coast led networking event. 

COST: FREE

DATE: Tuesday 30 January 2024
TIME: Workshop 14:30-17:00 AEST; Networking 17:00 – 19:30 AEST
LOCATION:  The Language Academy, Oasis Shopping Centre, Level 2, Broadbeach, Gold Coast, QLD
CPD Points: 10

Register

January 2024

At a loose end over the end-of-year break? 

Peruse the 150+ webinars, events, masterclasses and online courses available to members on the NEAS Online portal. All content on NEAS Online carries CPD points, and your accumulated points are tracked and recorded via your free NEAS ELT Professionals listing. 

Happy learning! 

The NEAS Office will be closed Monday 25 Dec 2023 – Friday 5 Jan 2024 (inclusive)

MBC International conducted a Self-Assessment activity, focusing on evaluating current practices and formulating strategies for continuous improvement. This process aligns with NEAS’s Quality Assurance Framework, enabling members to assess their operations against established standards. MBC International is commended for reflecting on three chosen Quality Principles and developing action plans with specificity, measurability, achievability, relevance, and time-bound criteria.

Student and staff surveys conducted during this period will serve as metrics to measure improvements. MBC International’s Self-Assessment, characterised by strategic planning and a commitment to continuous improvement, reflects the Centre’s dedication to maintaining high standards in line with the NEAS Standards.

December 2023

Three key action items were identified in the Self-Assessment exercise, pertaining to Quality Areas A: Teaching, Learning, and Assessment; C: Resources and Facilities; and D: Administration Management and Staffing of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework.

The selection of Quality Principles was based on feedback from the Centre’s previous NEAS Quality Review in 2022 and its significant application to the Centre’s strategic planning.

This Self-reflection activity reveals that the SCU has implemented some of the advice provided by NEAS during the Quality Review in 2022, emphasising the Centre’s commitment to continuous improvement and responsiveness to feedback.

December 2023

ACU Sydney is located in a picturesque suburb of North Sydney boasting stunning views of Sydney Harbour. The English Language Centre, located on Level 4, 8-20 Napier Street, features a newly renovated floor and modern classrooms.

The Centre grants students access to facilities and services within the wider university, including a modern library and sports facilities. Welcoming students from diverse countries including India, Nepal, Vietnam, Kenya, and South Asia, ACU Sydney fosters a multicultural learning environment. 

ACU Sydney offers students extensive support services and maintains a dedicated emphasis on student wellbeing. Students can access support through virtual and face-to-face avenues. The University further facilitates student safety through the ‘Safe Zone’ app allowing students to promptly notify the university of their location in case they feel unsafe on or off campus.

Teachers at the Centre expressed satisfaction with the management’s approachable style and felt supported and well-resourced to deliver engaging lessons. 

Students in the focus group spoke about caring teachers, excellent courses, and an environment where students are looked after and respected. 

December 2023

NEAS congratulates Hills Language College on successfully completing a quality review activity.

Hills Language College conducted a self-assessment, evaluating practices across three quality areas aligned with the Centre’s strategic goals for 2023/2024. The action items in the self-assessment focused on internal review and evaluation processes, emphasising their impact on the Centre’s strategic planning.

This self-reflection highlights the Centre’s dedication to continuous improvement, the well-being and success of its students, and its pivotal role in delivering quality education to international students.

December 2023

Union Institute of Language (UIL) is situated in Springfield, Brisbane, was acquired by the University of Southern Queensland (Uni SQ) in late 2022. Despite the ownership change, the day-to-day operations remain the responsibility of the previous owners, preserving the college’s distinctive culture. The institution places a strong emphasis on programs designed for students under 18, and recent adjustments have been implemented to enrich pathways for students on university pathways. 

UIL prioritises the well-being of students under 18, exemplified by the arrangement of a UIL employee to welcome all new students upon their arrival at Brisbane airport, providing transportation to their designated homestay placements. This personalised welcome not only ensures a smooth transition but also includes part orientation during the drive. 

UIL offers a varied selection of games and equipment for activity days, enhancing students’ social experiences at school. Teachers have expressed satisfaction with the Centre’s encouragement to explore innovative resources, as well as the office space that facilitates collaborative and creative development of teaching materials.

Activity days for Under-18s are integral to the UIL’s curriculum, contributing to student motivation and aiding in the adjustment to the Australian schooling system.

December 2023