Congratulations to Whites Hill State College on completing a successful quality review activity!

Whites Hill State College is located in the picturesque eastern suburb of Brisbane. The College is situated in the leafy suburb of Camp Hill which is known for its tranquil residential streets and easy access to some of Brisbane’s most popular parks and natural reserves.  

The Centre is a welcoming space equipped with the necessary recourse and facilities to support learning. There is a large open planned area in the HSP unit building arranged in such a way as to provide an excellent space for students and teachers to interact. The classrooms are well furnished, and classes are given access to the College’s Science resources to enable simple experiments and enquiry-based learning.

White Hill State College’s High School Preparation Program is designed to provide students with a smooth transition to secondary school. Providing pathways into several Brisbane schools, students attend White Hill State College dressed in the uniform of their future school. 

Students in focus groups expressed their satisfaction with the school and the level of support they received. Teachers were described as “dedicated” and “all clearly explain things”. The provision of detailed curriculum documents with possible resources and a range of websites and hardcopy texts greatly assists teachers in meeting students’ needs.

Feedback from the staff was very favourable, both within the focus group and the NEAS survey.  Survey comments included that the Centre was continually working on ways to improve services to students and that the Centre was a positive, professional place to work as it was well-run. 

April 2023

NEAS congratulates Discover English for completing a successful Quality Review Activity!

Discover English is part of the Academies Australasia Education Group and provides courses for international students in General English (Elementary to Advanced), English for Academic Purposes (EAP), IELTS Preparation, Excel English, Cambridge English B2, C1, C2 and Business English.

Situated in a prime Melbourne central city location, Discover English has attracted a healthy number of students since the return to campus after the COVID-19- Pandemic. The campus provides adequate study spaces for students and an extensive library. The atmosphere at Discover English is friendly and professional and students are provided with comprehensive student services to assist them during their time at the College. In focus group discussions, students praised the College’s ability to help them achieve their goals. 

Teachers at Discover English are appropriately qualified and are given opportunities to improve their skills and teaching range. A yearly professional development calendar demonstrates that regular internally and externally sourced PD for teachers is provided. Students reported feeling satisfied with their teachers. One student commented, “ the teachers are of a very high quality’, while at the same time being “fun and fantastic”.

April 2023

Congratulations to IELTS on the endorsement of its Quality Product/Services!

IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is a globally recognised language proficiency test designed to assess the English language skills of non-native speakers. Jointly developed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English in 1989, IELTS has become one of the most widely accepted assessments in the world and earnt its reputation as the gold standard of English language testing. Over 11,000 organisations, including universities, immigration authorities, and employers in more than 140 countries, recognise IELTS scores.

NEAS is pleased to assess and endorse IELTS as a Quality Product/Services (Area K), in the category of Testing (High Stakes – Australia). The Quality Principles of Area K focus on these features of the target Product and Service: its underlying research; its fulfilment of purpose; its processes for maintaining quality; its uniqueness and innovation; and its contribution to the ELT community. Detailed information on Area K of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework can be referenced here: https://neas.org.au/resources/neas-quality-framework/#area-k. 

Research underpins best practice test design associated with the IELTS brand. The quantity and quality of research undertaken and shared by the IELTS Partners with stakeholders has been impressive. IELTS investment in innovation is a standout feature of the current suite of resources available to test takers. The IDP IELTS practice application and the ability for candidates to retake subtests in a targeted skills area, so as to address a jagged profile, is of particular note. Item writing teams receive regular training and updates to ensure that test items are relevant, current, and align with IELTS latest research and product testing. IELTS coordinates a comprehensive teacher training program to ensure that candidates are prepared for current versions of the tests. IELTS maintains deep industry connections to establish ongoing currency and relevance in the ELT industry.

April 2023

James McIntryre-Ure is a Senior Educator at RMIT University Vietnam and he incorporates evidence-based positive psychology into learning, teaching and mentoring. By tapping into people’s values, he can help people discover their true potential, set meaningful goals and make long-lasting positive changes. He has a strong background in education and his work on well-being has been showcased globally.

The session in the Ukraine Workshop Series will explore how students and teachers can co-create a positive community and supportive learning environment. Support networks are key to developing well-being and resilience. It will provide effective coping strategies which acknowledge the various needs and emotions that arise during challenging times.  

April 2023