Author: Ed Itor

It is with immense pleasure that NEAS extends a warm congratulations to Mr Adam Kilburn, the next Chief Executive Officer and Public Officer of NEAS Australia. 

Adam brings extensive experience in the English Language Teaching sector, most recently as Director of Holmesglen’s English Language Centre in Melbourne.  

Adam has had executive oversight for ELICOS, AMEP and teacher training programs within a TAFE and training environment, specialising in management and bringing experience as lead teacher and teacher trainer specialist. 

With deep knowledge of student recruitment, quality and compliance, and curriculum development, we are confident that Adam’s skill set and experience in business start-ups and process improvement will be an asset to NEAS.  

Adam holds a Master of Arts (Language and Literacy) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Our capable NEAS team, consisting of Daniel Yuen, Operations Manager, Rima Ibrahim, Education Manager and Peetra Lechte, Communications Manager, continue to support our members throughout the leadership transition period. Please do not hesitate to contact us for anything you may need during this time. 

At the end of November, we will have our farewell to Dr Patrick Pheasant, but for now, we officially welcome Adam to the role, commencing 8 January 2024. 

November 2023

SACE is located in Adelaide, South Australia, and has been welcoming students from diverse regions including South America, Southeast Asia, Europe, and China. 

Currently, SACE provides General English and Academic English courses, including IELTS and PTE preparation. In addition, students enjoy English Plus, a specialised program tailored for golf enthusiasts.

With over 25 years experience, SACE has established strong partnerships with prestigious institutions like Flinders University and TAFE, ensuring seamless academic pathways for its students. The Centre also provides dedicated homestay services, overseen by a homestay coordinator, to ensure a comfortable and enriching living experience for international students.

SACE places great emphasis on student satisfaction and actively seeks their feedback, offering effective mechanisms for communication and improvement. Through Club SACE, students can unwind and bond with peers every Friday afternoon while enjoying extracurricular activities. These activities include field trips, such as trips to the Adelaide Show, museums, and sporting activities. In addition, SACE collaborates with Study Adelaide to provide access to free and discounted weekend events for international students.

October 2023

Sarina Russo Institute (SRI) Brisbane campus is one of the 90+ Sarina Russo Group sites across Australia. The Centre offers a range of vocational and English language programs, including the Intensive General English (IGE) program and the Bridging English Entry Program (BEEP). In addition SRI provides a weekly, one-hour multi-level speaking class, which also facilitates creative group activities.

The Centre features a resource centre, offering access to learning software and a space for small group gatherings. Support staff, including a dedicated qualified student counsellor, are readily available to assist students. A dedicated student space, where complimentary fruit is provided for students in the mornings, and free photocopying services are available give students an added sense of being cared for. 

SRI students reported being satisfied with the quality of learning and the support they received from their teachers and management and described the staff as ‘amazing’. Teachers described the organisation as efficient, caring, honest, and a great place to work!

October 2023

The Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET) serves as IDP Education’s English language teaching college, operating four campuses across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. ACET is committed to providing English courses that equip students with the necessary skills for work, study, or migration.

We extend our congratulations to ACET for its successful completion of the NEAS Quality Review for 2023. This review encompassed structured meetings and Focus Group discussions involving management, students, teachers, and professional staff. Additionally, the use of anonymised Quality Principles Surveys helped identify focal points for the Quality Review process, while comprehensive stakeholder feedback was analysed in alignment with the key Principles and Drivers of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework. For more information on the Quality Assurance Framework, please refer to this section of the NEAS website: https://neas.org.au/resources/neas-quality-framework/.

Through Focus Group interviews and online survey responses, ACET teachers highlighted that the Centres promote quality of delivery by regularly assessing students and providing frequent feedback. At the conclusion of each course, surveys are distributed to students via email. Students, in turn, expressed their gratitude for the dual-teacher approach in their program, praising instructors for their clarity in teaching and their support in skill development. It is worth noting that teachers willingly assist students with questions and extra work upon request. Within the teachers’ rooms, both digital and physical resources are readily available. Additionally, Independent Learning Centres (ILC) are actively used, offering valuable resources for both teachers and students.

October 2023

Hello Australia, an Australian-registered education agent, is part of the Hello Study group of companies, which includes Hello Canada, Hello England, and Hello USA. Hello Australia commenced recruiting international students from its headquarters in Brisbane in 2007. Since then, it has expanded its reach, with offices in Sydney (2011), Melbourne (2016), the Gold Coast (2017), and the Sunshine Coast (2018). Hello Australia has established partnership agreements with several NEAS Member Centres. In addition to NEAS Quality Endorsement, Hello Australia is also certified by multiple Australian and international organisations.

NEAS conducted its assessment of Hello Australia’s operations and services using Area J of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework, focussing on these important Quality Principles: the presence of an ethical framework underpinning the practices of the agency and its counsellors; provision of information to stakeholders that is ethical, accurate and consistent; use of governance structures that are effective and transparent; supporting a performance and development culture for staff; implementing systematic risk management processes; and routinely obtaining stakeholder feedback to inform the continuous improvement of services. More information on Area J can be found here: https://neas.org.au/resources/neas-quality-framework/#area-j. 

NEAS employs a distinctive 360-degree stakeholder feedback model in its review processes. The completion of staff surveys underscores the agency’s commitment to delivering professional, high-quality services. This commitment was evident during student interviews, where the agency’s care and professionalism were highlighted. Students appreciated how the staff attentively listened to their needs. Student interviews revealed the agency’s focus on compliance with legal requirements and related processes. Students described the staff as empathetic and understanding, highlighting their ability to comprehend the needs and concerns of students.

October 2023

Similar to the Brisbane branch, featured in last month’s NEAS News, The English Language School in Sydney (ELSIS) Melbourne provides General English classes tailored to learners from beginner to advanced levels. The Centre also offers specialised courses for IELTS preparation. ELSIS functions as the English language teaching arm of the Education Centre of Australia (ECA) Group, a prominent provider of top-tier education and training services. Alongside English language programs, ECA delivers a diverse range of vocational education and higher education degree programs. 

ELSIS Melbourne has successfully completed the NEAS Quality Review for 2023. This comprehensive review involved structured meetings and Focus Group discussions with participation from management, students, teachers, and professional staff. In addition, the use of anonymised Quality Principles Surveys helped pinpoint key areas of focus during the Quality Review process. The extensive feedback from stakeholders was analysed in accordance with the essential Principles and Drivers outlined in the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework. For more information on the Quality Assurance Framework, please refer to this section of the NEAS website: https://neas.org.au/resources/neas-quality-framework/.

ELSIS Melbourne, with its effective marketing strategies and agent connections, is known for its commitment to being a reputable education provider. The Centre prioritises student recruitment through trusted agents and welcomes input from key stakeholders, all of which contribute to transparency and the institution’s strong reputation. Additionally, student feedback in the Focus Group meeting was positive, highlighting satisfaction with the courses, alignment with their chosen paths, and appreciation for the quality of teacher feedback and correction during classes.

The Centre offers extra classes four times a week, consistently at full capacity. These classes include One-on-One sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Conversation Class on Wednesdays, Grammar Class on Mondays, and Career Pathways seminars when applicable. These popular initiatives give students valuable opportunities to enhance language skills, engage in personal discussions, refine grammar proficiency, and explore potential career paths. The Centre also supports learning and engagement through, for example, the ELSIS Student Ambassador Program and Student of the Month recognition.

October 2023

TIES is a long-established boutique English language college in the heart of the Townsville CBD, with easy access to nearby services, cafes and food outlets. Currently, TIES is the sole English language college in the Townsville CBD and maintains close relationships with James Cook University (JCU) and local VET providers. Located on the second floor, the campus provides classrooms designed as versatile learning spaces, complete with student kitchens and café-style seating – a conducive environment that fosters both structured learning and student interactions.

The Centre is currently offering General English classes to students from diverse countries including Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Italy, Japan, and Indonesia. In addition to teaching English, the Centre runs a small PTE test centre overseen by a test center manager.

Teachers in the focus group were highly complementary of the Centre’s directions to teachers and the variety of resources available. This sentiment was echoed by the students themselves, who hold the teaching approaches in high regard. Students also felt confident that their English language skills and ability to communicate in an Australian context had improved markedly since commencing study at TIES.

TIES collaborates with Study Townsville to facilitate student engagement within the local community and promote interactions among students, both local and international. The President of Study Townsville, who also holds the position of Principal Executive Officer (PEO) at TIES, possesses a comprehensive knowledge of various student-focused activities in the area. TIES adeptly identifies students’ interests, including sports, volunteer work, or religious affiliations, and assists in connecting them with suitable local clubs and organisations that align with their preferences. Some TIES students voluntarily participate in the Study Townsville Student Ambassador program. This program involves engaging in local activities and sharing their experiences with current and prospective students. Additionally, the Centre offers support to students in their search for accommodation and part-time job opportunities, contributing to a well-rounded student experience.

October 2023

Macquarie Education Group Australia (MEGA) Pty Ltd, trading as MEGA Education, was established in 2004 as a boutique English language school. The group is now an established ELICOS and VET provider located in the centre of Sydney, conveniently located within walking distance to Town Hall Train Station.

Presently, MEGA Education offers a variety of courses, including General English, High School Preparation (HSP), and English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Its student body comprises individuals from many countries such as Thailand, Brazil, and Colombia. The Centre operates classes both in the morning and evening to accommodate different schedules.

During the recent NEAS Quality Review Visit, students in the Focus Group expressed their satisfaction with the courses at MEGA Education. As one student put it, “Our courses are helping us improve our English.” Students conveyed a strong sense of care from the Centre and acknowledged the helpfulness of the entire staff. Students commented on their teachers’ enthusiasm and their genuine interest in their academic progress, stating that their teachers are “happy to teach” and another student highlighted that their teachers are “so happy when we improve.” Many students indicated that they have recommended the Centre to other international students in Sydney. 

Similarly, teachers participating in the focus group expressed confidence in the curriculum’s suitability for their students’ needs. The Teacher Focus Group revealed a high level of satisfaction among educators.

Professional staff members at MEGA Education reported receiving positive feedback from Education Agents. They noted that many students choose to extend their courses due to the enjoyable and enriching learning experience offered by the Centre. They “enjoyed their lessons, as well as the events and activities organised by the centre”.

October 2023