Author: Ed Itor

The NEAS Communications Manager, Peetra Lechte, presented last week at the ASEAN University Network – Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) conference in Bangkok, with a focus on strengthening bilateral relationships between the ASEAN region and Australia.

With the theme: Driving True Quality in Education: AUN-QA International Conference 2023, the AUN-QA International Conference 2023 took place on 6 and 7 September 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. This conference provided the opportunity to gather practitioners of quality assurance from around the world with a drive toward true quality in education and real innovative changes in Quality Assurance. With international speakers and experts, there was a plethora of excellent practices, experiences, and discussions. AUN-QA is keen for knowledge, practices and experiences to be accessible to everyone, as it encourages all universities, not just in ASEAN, but across the world to improve their QA processes and improve education quality for the betterment of students. 

NEAS wholeheartedly supports Quality Assurance both nationally and internationally and encourages all our members to seek international benchmarking.

September 2023

Congratulations to Times Academy on completing a successful Quality Review activity with NEAS.

Times Academy is attractively appointed in a high-rise office building and is centrally located near transport, food outlets and entertainment venues. 

During the quality review visit, teachers in the Focus Group noted that courses were “very well organised” and “easily accessible”. The support provided to them was also highly praised, with teachers describing management as a source of consistent encouragement and always open to constructive discussions. 

Students in the Focus Group and surveys agreed that they were happy with their learning experience at Times Academy. Students stated that teachers “explain carefully with details” and that they “clearly organise the topic of the lesson”. Students also advised that they were pleased with the technology used in the classroom. 

Assessment is both summative and formative and students were able to clearly describe the process. Students enjoyed the provision of ongoing in-person and written feedback by teachers.

August 2023

NEAS congratulates Holmesglen English Language Centre on completing a successful Quality Review Activity.

As part of Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, the Language Centre is well-equipped to cater to the needs of its international students. It provides a range of essential student services, such as the Information Office, the International Centre, a modern library, a bookshop and a cafeteria. Additionally, international students benefit from dedicated support services, including a student wellbeing office, a medical centre and a recreational area. The campus boasts well-furnished breakout areas and well-equipped classrooms. Staff also have access to a spacious well resourced staffroom, along with dedicated offices for managers.

Students come to Holmesglen English Language Centre from many countries including Japan, Vietnam, and Mongolia. In addition to the regular class timetable, Holmesglen offers students face-to-face support. Students can benefit from study skills sessions held in the library and facilitated by a designated librarian, which are available after class hours to further enhance their learning journey.

Holmesglen English Language Centre, situated in Chadstone, Melbourne, offers students a convenient and easily accessible location, with public transport connections through buses and train services. The strategic location ensures that students have access to various amenities, including cafes, local restaurants, and Chadstone Shopping Centre.

August 2023

Congratulations to NOVA Institute of Technology for successfully completing a Self-Assessment Activity with NEAS.

The Centre conducted its Self-Assessment against three key Quality Areas:

                         A: Teaching, Learning, and Assessment,

                         B: The Student Experience, and

                         C: Resources and Facilities.

Within each Quality Area, a comprehensive evaluation against all Quality Principles took place.

The Center has shown proficiency in developing plans for continuous improvement, with a particular emphasis on enhancing Quality Principles within Areas A, B, and C. This commitment to ongoing development ensures that NOVA Institute of Technology maintains its dedication to providing a high-quality educational experience for its students.

August 2023

NEAS recently held a management meeting at ILSC Melbourne, further contributing to the institution’s commitment to quality.

Situated across from Southern Cross station, in Melbourne’s CBD the Centre enjoys convenient access to transportation, catering hubs, and shopping. The ILSC campus at 120 Spencer Street occupies three floors, with classrooms on levels 7, 9, and 16. The main reception is located on level 7.

The Student body is diverse with students coming from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, France, Spain and Turkey.

A commendable practice at ILSC Melbourne is the regular administration of student surveys. These surveys address various aspects of courses, classes, and teachers. Additionally, an exit survey is conducted for every student leaving ILSC Melbourne. These constructive surveys hold significant value as they actively inform and shape the ongoing development of the curriculum.

Promoting a well-rounded experience, the Centre features a team of Activity Coordinators and Pathway Coordinators. These coordinators curate extracurricular activities, both on-campus and off-campus. Moreover, they orchestrate tours of partner colleges and universities, enhancing overall student engagement.

August 2023

Congratulations to CQU Sydney on Completing a successful Quality Review Activity with NEAS!

CQU Sydney, strategically located at 400 Kent Street, is dedicated to providing students transitioning to mainstream CQUniversity courses with the English Language Skills required to thrive at university. 

The campus is conducive to learning and provides spacious breakout areas that cater for student needs, facilitating collaborative learning and relaxation. A well-equipped open computer lab is also available for self-study. ELICOS students have the advantage of accessing the university’s extensive library where a dedicated section is reserved for ELICOS books. 

In line with CQ University’s commitment to supporting students throughout their academic journey, CQU Sydney offers a host of comprehensive support services. This includes on campus IT support and information resource on how to access support. Moreover, a dedicated office for the well-being coordinator provides students with a direct avenue for seeking emotional and mental support.

August 2023

Congratulations to ILSC for achieving Premium Product endorsement of its ELT Qualification ‘Trinity Cert TESOL’, demonstrating a commitment to delivering high-quality language education and advancing the field of TESOL in Australia.

After successfully achieving Quality Endorsement with NEAS, ILSC’s Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Trinity Cert TESOL) has now obtained the NEAS Premium Product endorsed status.

Developed in response to the post-pandemic demand, the ILSC Trinity Certificate in TESOL equips pre-service ESL teachers with an entry-level qualification. Drawing from Trinity College London’s renowned reputation in ELT and the arts, the ILSC course inherits its prestige and market position, setting a rigorous benchmark for language education offerings.

The addition of the ILSC course to the local market enhances the options available to future teachers seeking entry-level TESOL qualifications. ILSC will ensure the utmost quality and adherence to Trinity College London’s standards by running the Trinity Certificate in TESOL in consultation with the institution and strictly following its guidelines. A comprehensive benchmarking system, overseen by the Trinity Course Director and Senior Tutor is in place at ILSC. Additionally, a Trinity-appointed moderator will evaluate all aspects of the course, including materials, tutors, trainees, assessments, and tutor feedback. The feedback from the moderator allows ILSC to continuously update and enhance the course, ensuring its relevance and current industry alignment.

As a result of this partnership, ILSC becomes the first centre in Australia to collaborate with Trinity College London in this manner. This alliance further strengthens Australia’s global reputation as a country of excellence in ELT training.

August 2023

NEAS Congratulates Explore English on a Successful Quality Review Activity!

Situated in the heart of Melbourne CBD on the iconic Collins Street, Explore English attracts students from Colombia, Thailand, Brazil, China, Korea, Japan, Turkey and Italy.

One of the key factors contributing to the institute’s success is its commitment to fostering a friendly, collaborative, and supportive environment. Transparent communication channels have facilitated seamless interactions between staff, students, teachers, and management, creating a strong sense of community. The commitment to student well-being and overall development was evident in the provision of engaging weekly extra-curricular activities and the support offered by an experienced Student Welfare Coordinator.

Explore English is committed to offering additional learning opportunities to its students with daily extra classes including themes such as Culture Club, Game Hour, Aussie English and Short Stories Club. Additionally, the College provides students with the opportunity to take courses in ‘Barista Basics’ and ‘Responsible Service of Alcohol’. 

Students reported being happy with their courses, teachers, and extra support services available at the College. Teachers enjoy the multicultural classes and the friendly school environment.

August 2023

The NEAS quality review cycle has undergone a transformative evolution from a static two-year model to a dynamic ongoing annual structure, reflecting a profound commitment to continuous improvement. Previously, the cycle encompassed a biennial process involving a Quality Review and a Self-Assessment. This approach has now evolved into an agile and adaptable framework, with a quality review cycle that embraces an organic rhythm and risk-based model, incorporating Management Meetings and a diverse array of tailored Quality Assurance activities. These refinements are driven by a nuanced understanding of members’ specific requirements and sector-wide risk assessment.

This shift empowers NEAS to remain attuned to the dynamic landscape of education and training, fostering a culture of flexibility, responsiveness, and proactive enhancement. The inclusion of Management Meetings bolsters the tracking of progress, issue identification, and swift remediation if and where necessary. This more adaptable nature of Quality Assurance activities ensures that each member’s distinct needs are addressed, nurturing a more customised approach. By remaining abreast of sector-wide risk assessment, NEAS ensures that the quality review cycle is aligned with broader industry trends and challenges.

At NEAS we feel that this approach maintains our position as a vanguard in quality assurance in ELT, equipped to navigate the ever-evolving educational landscape effectively.

August 2023

Congratulations to LanguageCert on achieving quality endorsement with NEAS in the category of Quality Products and Services. 

LanguageCert General and Academic Tests were developed through extensive research and stakeholder feedback. Government initiatives, labour market analysis, and input from employer groups and educational stakeholders have all contributed to the test’s creation. Subject matter experts and test-taker feedback have played vital roles in shaping LanguageCert’s General and Academic tests. The guidance of academic boards and advisory bodies, along with contemporary research in language acquisition and communicative competence, has been taken into consideration. The result is a set of test items that reflect authentic contexts in everyday life, workplace settings, and academic environments, making LanguageCert’s exams reliable measures of language proficiency.

LanguageCert offers security-laden tests both through their own online live proctored delivery platform and through a secure high-stakes test centre network in over 110 countries. The speaking component stands out for its stress-free atmosphere, facilitated by friendly assessors and well-designed sequence that allows test takers to begin with personal questions before transitioning to more formal aspects of the test. Test takers can expect a well-designed and well-structured online assessment featuring a rich variety of activities within each component, providing a comprehensive and robust test experience.

August 2023