Author: Ed Itor

VUS is the largest NEAS endorsed English language centre in Vietnam and hosts the VUS TESOL Conference every year. This year Ms Peetra Lechte, NEAS Communications Manager, was honoured to present once more at this annual event. The theme of the conference was Celebrating Diverse Perspectives in ELT and Ms Lechte’s workshop was entitled Inclusive Classrooms through Diversification.

Inclusion is paramount to differentiation in the English Language Teaching (ELT) classroom. By including diverse activities born from diverse perspectives teachers can create a collaborative and inclusive classroom. Participants were able to explore different ways to include students from different backgrounds, with diverse abilities and with differing needs in the ELT classroom. Through various platforms such Inquiry-based, Task-based and Arts-based learning and teaching, teachers can inspire the love of learning English in their students. The workshop set out to empower teachers by providing them with the opportunity to sample of a variety of pedagogical approaches, which they may later add to their practical teaching toolbox.

August 2023

While in the ASEAN Region Ms Lechte, NEAS Communications Manager, visited four of the first universities on the ASEAN University Network QA (AUN-QA) project list.

This project is aimed at extending NEAS’ reach in the ASEAN region and ensuring that Quality Assurance becomes an integral part of ELT practice while promoting our Australian members and Australian Quality Assurance in ELT. The partnerships created and nurtured in the ASEAN region by NEAS will benefit our Australian members by extending meaningful opportunities for education providers in Australia and the ASEAN region to develop new links and grow relationships, which, in turn will enable the wider ELT community to thrive.  

The four universities visited were De La Salle in Manila, Philippines; Walailak in Nakhon Is Thammarat, Thailand; Vietnam National University, University of Technology and University of Social Science and Humanities, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 

August 2023

NEAS Congratulates International Institute of Business and Technology​​​​​​​ (IIBT) on completing a successful Quality Review activity. The International Institute of Business and Technology (IIBT) is a part of the Times Education Group in Australia, offering VET and ELICOS programs. Recently, the Perth Centre has relocated from Victoria Park to a new campus in West Perth. 

The courses provided by IIBT are designed, with clear learning outcomes, guidance for teachers, well-planned assessment schedules, and comprehensive resource lists. During Focus Group discussions, students emphasised the valuable one-to-one feedback they received from their teachers. Students also expressed high praise for the online resources available through the Centre’s Moodle LMS. Particularly, the digital graded readers have significantly contributed to improving students’ reading proficiency and familiarity with academic word lists within contextualized contexts.

Teachers were commended by focus group students for being proactive in explaining course objectives and expectations. Additionally, students appreciated the efficient response to their needs by the administration team. IIBT staff demonstrated a high level of responsiveness to student complaints and questions and actively sought out solutions.

July 2023

NEAS congratulates ILSC Australia on successfully completing Quality Endorsement of their newly added Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (Trinity Cert TESOL). 

The Trinity Cert TESOL course is designed for local and international students aspiring to teach EAL in Australia and abroad. The Course provides clear objectives aligned to the learning outcomes and offers a comprehensive assessment process including formative and summative evaluations. Assessments encompass various formats such as learner portfolios, journal forms, and external assessment facilitated by Trinity College London. By incorporating pedagogical skills, theoretical knowledge, and practical experience, the Trinity Cert TESOL Course prepares students to become competent and successful English language educators.

July 2023

Congratulations to the Health Careers Language Academy (HCLA) Melbourne Campus on successfully completing a Quality Assurance Management Meeting, reaffirming the Centre’s ongoing commitment to quality. The meeting, conducted during an Onsite Visit by the assigned NEAS Quality Assessor, was an essential part of the continuous Quality Review cycle. During the Quality Assurance activity, core areas of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework were assessed, as well as areas of significance for the Centre.

HCLA’s mission is to prepare international students for healthcare careers while concurrently improving their language skills. By integrating healthcare-focused curriculum with language development, HCLA empowers students with the necessary knowledge and communication abilities to excel in the healthcare industry. Currently, the Centre is preparing for the resumption of its ELICOS programs while simultaneously enhancing its course and assessment development and review processes.

July 2023

Congratulations to Indooroopilly State High School on their successful completion of a Self-Assessment activity with NEAS. 

Located in the vibrant community of Indooroopilly, Brisbane, the School is dedicated to upholding high standards of quality education through its commitment to NEAS. 

The School’s dedication to self-reflection has enabled a thorough evaluation of its current practices across seven Quality Principles. The School has also demonstrated a strong commitment to continuous improvement by outlining thoughtful plans that prioritise targeted principles for enhancement. 

July 2023

Ms Rima Ibrahim, NEAS Education Manager was recently in Kuala Lumper, Malaysia, where she had the privilege of presenting on behalf of NEAS at the GPEX Partners Conference.

NEAS Australia plays a crucial role in Malaysia and the ASEAN region and is growing its number of educational collaborations. NEAS is promoting Quality Assurance the region endorsing, not only educational institutions in Malaysia and the ASEAN region, but also Products and Services.

By engaging in the NEAS Quality Framework high standards in education are being maintained, benefiting students and enhancing the region’s reputation as a focal point for quality ELT Centres, ELT Products and Services, ELT Professionals and Quality Education Agents. Ms Ibrahim felt privileged to showcase the services NEAS Australia provides and highlight the importance of Quality Assurance in English language delivery so that international communication, trade and business relations are fostered and partnerships augmented.

July 2023

Dr Patrick Pheasant, NEAS CEO, attended the PIE Live conference held on the 24/25 July at the Gold Coast Convention  & Exhibition Centre.

Dr Pheasant’s presentation on Strengthening Bilateral Relationships: ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA) Partnership with NEAS Australia for Quality Assurance in English Language Teaching was thought-provoking, with delegates hearing about NEAS’ Australian and global partnerships. Participants enjoyed a showcase of the activities of Quality Assured centres on Australian shores as well as overseas.

The presentation also highlighted Professional Development provided by NEAS in recent times as well as other activities. These included  the Vietnam, Thailand and Ukraine Online Workshop Series; Teacher Training Workshops at Mahidol University Thailand; Management Training at RMIT University Vietnam; Quality Assurance Workshops with the AUN-QA Secretariat; Presentation and paper at the APQN Conference; Presentation at VUS TESOL Management Conference; Sponsorhip at and presentations at CamTESOL; and Presentations at the APAIE.

At the core of Dr Patrick’s message is the sentiment expressed by Michael Fay of the AFG Venture Group that “Quality and Quality Assurance must be in the DNA of the Institution”. Quality assurance not only provides reassurance to government regulators, but is also vital for a country’s attractiveness as an education destination; is important in Australia and the greater ASEAN/Asian region; provides valuable  support and guidance to Education Providers; and improves the student experience. 

July 2023