Author: Ed Itor

Congratulations to Sunshine Coast International College (SCIC) on completing a successful Quality Review Activity with NEAS.

Conveniently situated in the city centre, SCIC’s campus is being modernised to better cater to its diverse student body. Students come to SCIC from Southeast Asian countries, primarily China and Vietnam, and South American countries, mainly Brazil and Colombia. Students are enrolled in General English from Beginner to Upper Intermediate, English for Academic Purposes (EAP), and Cambridge English Advanced courses, offered in the morning and evening. At SCIC, students receive comprehensive support, including course information, assessment details, and welfare support, provided during orientation sessions and outlined in the SCIC Student Handbook.

Under the expert guidance of Academic Manager, Fariba Soltan, SCIC has been actively enhancing its organisational culture and academic standards by implementing various initiatives, including revamping teacher induction and mentoring processes, refining course offerings and assessment processes in response to government changes to English language requirements for student visas, and prioritising professional development for its teaching staff. Emphasising excellence, SCIC has adopted a new assessment rating system, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), aligned with international standards, and conducts regular performance appraisals for teachers, while actively incorporating student and teacher feedback into curriculum updates.

May 2024

NEAS congratulates Times Academy on completing a recent quality review activity.

Times Academy has demonstrated its dedication to excellence through proactive measures aimed at enhancing its operations during a recent Self-Assessment activity. The centre highlighted several key action items geared towards continual improvement and adherence to quality standards.

One of the primary action plans is to strengthen its course evaluation processes by engaging teachers in assessment validation workshops. The centre has also unveiled strategies to ensure the ethical and accurate promotion of its offerings. This includes providing targeted workshops for new staff and reinforcing marketing staff’s understanding of recruitment processes. Moreover, the centre is actively working on enhancing safety protocols and risk management strategies for students under 18.

This proactive approach to self-assessment and continuous improvement exemplifies Times Academy’s commitment to delivering high-quality education in a safe and supportive environment.

May 2024

NEAS congratulates Native English College on becoming the latest quality endorsed member. Since opening its doors in January, Native English College has welcomed students both onshore and offshore, benefiting from an active marketing department and strong relationships with agents. The college fosters a culture of friendliness, professionalism, and familial support. Open communication is a hallmark of its culture, further enhanced by excursions and other extracurricular activities.

NEAS uses a 360-degree stakeholder feedback approach in its quality endorsement process, collating and analysing input from stakeholders. During recent focus group sessions at Native English College, students expressed satisfaction with the course design and outcomes, finding them suitable for their pathways. Feedback from NEAS student surveys was overwhelmingly positive, with nearly 100% of students praising the course delivery, assessment, and teaching approaches.

The supportive culture at Native English College was also emphasised, with one respondent commenting, ‘It is a very nurturing environment, both for teachers and students.’ Excursions and other extracurricular activities further enhance the student experience by providing opportunities for students to enjoy each other’s company, communicate in English, and be supervised by a teacher.

May 2024

Established in 2001, the Australia Education Management Group (AEMG) promotes international education and cross-cultural exchange by facilitating partnerships between education providers and research centres in China, Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Europe. AEMG engaged the services of NEAS Assist to review the benchmarking of its Academic Language and Study Skills 1 and 2 courses (ALS1 and ALS2) against the IELTS public band descriptors.

NEAS Assist, the consultancy arm of NEAS, offers expert, tailored assistance to further enhance the quality of ELT centres. AEMG provided comprehensive curriculum, assessment information, and evidence for the review. The resulting NEAS benchmarking report outlines the methodology applied and evidence examined, providing advice for quality improvement, and specifying the conditions for the report’s conclusions. Students successfully completing the ALS1 or ALS2 courses demonstrate English proficiency equivalent to the specified standards, with the report being valid for a period of two years.

May 2024

Congratulations to Catch-up Education for the successful completion of its 2024 Quality Review initiative. Founded in Sydney in 2016, Catch-up Education is an Australian-registered education agency that primarily recruits international students from France, French overseas collectivities, and other regions such as Mauritius, Fiji, Tahiti and New Caledonia. The agency facilitates study opportunities in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, the USA, and Japan, with a particular emphasis on ELICOS and Higher Education courses in Australia. In addition to recruitment services, Catch-up Education offers comprehensive support services, including online courses, internships, demi/au-pair placements, airport transfers, and initial accommodation arrangements. The agency has established partnership agreements with NEAS members and holds certifications from ISEAA and ICEF, underscoring its dedication to providing quality education and student support.

NEAS conducted its assessment of Catch-up Education’s operations and services using Area J of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework, focusing 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 referenced here: https://neas.org.au/resources/neas-quality-framework/#area-j.

NEAS employs a 360-degree stakeholder feedback model in its review procedures. Interviews with students and providers identified the agency’s professionalism and reliability. Students praised Catch-up Education for its adherence to legal requirements and processes, expressing satisfaction with the support they received. Their feedback highlighted a sense of being well-cared for in a professional yet friendly manner, with comments such as “He gave me a good balance and took away all the stress I’ve got, like all the administration,” and “He has become a friend and I visit him when I can,” indicating a deep level of trust and rapport. Facebook reviews and comments further validated these sentiments, with the agency receiving a commendable 4.8-star rating from 18 reviews. Telephone interviews revealed that all clients were highly satisfied with how Catch-up Education understood and responded to their individual needs, goals, and preferences. Education providers echoed this sentiment, recognising Catch-up Education’s comprehensive support and recounting instances where Sylvain had gone above and beyond to assist students in need, earning him praise as someone who “tends to provide the full packet of support” and who “scooped [students] from trouble.”

May 2024

The Preparation Center for Languages and Mathematics at Mahidol University International College (MUIC) is a premier educational institution committed to fostering excellence in language and mathematics proficiency. Situated within MUIC, the centre offers a wide range of courses designed to cater to the individual needs and goals of students.

Congratulations to The Preparation Center for Languages and Mathematics for its successful completion of the NEAS Quality Review for 2024. 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/.

The centre provides a rigorous English and academic preparation program spanning four proficiency levels. Tailored to assist students in gaining admission to MUIC courses, the program attracts a diverse student body, including Thai and international learners, with the latter comprising less than 5% of the cohort, primarily from China, Myanmar, and South Korea. Led by experienced instructors, the centre benefits from stable teaching and support staff, fostering a collaborative atmosphere focused on student success. The centre’s collegial environment is characterised by regular meetings and reviews, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with student needs. With a high staff retention rate, the centre maintains a deep understanding of its culture and operations, further enhancing its ability to support students effectively. Additionally, the centre offers scholarships for the children of MUIC staff and Mahidol University employees, underscoring its commitment to fostering a supportive community and facilitating access to quality education.

May 2024

UOW College Australia serves as the dedicated pathway provider to the University of Wollongong (UOW) and offers tailored English and academic programs to prepare students for undergraduate studies. Alongside academic support, UOW College Australia provides a Homestay Program, catering to both domestic and international students of UOW College Australia, the University of Wollongong, and The Illawarra Grammar School. This program promises care and assistance in settling into a new city and culture.

NEAS is pleased to assess and endorse UOW College Australia in the category of Quality Products and Services (Area O – Homestay Service Providers). The Quality Principles of Area O focus on the following critical aspects of the vendor’s service: its governance and management practices; the provision of a safe and comfortable living environment for students; its support for student welfare arrangements; and the training of host families for student welfare and wellbeing. Detailed information on Area O of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework can be referenced here: https://neas.org.au/resources/neas-quality-framework/#area-o.

UOW College Australia is commended for its clear policy and procedure documents, which undergo regular reviews and version control. Expectations for staff communication with hosts and students are outlined in a homestay email template, supplemented by newsletters to keep host families informed of their responsibilities and contact points for assistance. For under 18 students with a UOW College Australia Confirmation of Appropriate Accommodation and Welfare (CAAW) letter, expectations for both students and host families are clearly outlined and signed by both parties, with welfare and support sessions provided. The college oversees student movement with an Under 18 International Homestay Students Travel Application Form. Host families are directed to the NSW Government site for the Working with Children Check, and insurance requirements are detailed in the Host Families Terms and Conditions.

Anonymised student feedback further emphasises the positive experiences within the homestay program, with one student expressing, “This is the second time I experienced homestay!! It was a nice experience to stay and can learn other countries’ cultures,” while another shares, “My homestay family is very kind and interesting, so I am having a very enjoyable time!” Additionally, a host family provided glowing feedback, stating, “Homestay has been awesome. I’ve had some beautiful students staying and it’s been a fantastic experience.”

May 2024