We are thrilled to be announcing the upcoming Homestay Symposium on:

Providing Solutions in an Accommodation Crisis

This Homestay COP event is being held on Friday 22 March 2024 in Sydney, in partnership with industry stakeholders and practitioners and is supported by NSW Government and Study NSW. Sponsors for this symposium are IELTS, Edgewise  and Pearson

Australia has reached a historic milestone by establishing the world’s first-ever set of quality standards for international student homestay accommodation in Australia. This achievement is pivotal in ensuring a premium experience for international students. 

This symposium will be an engaging workshop that will delve into the theme of Providing Solutions in an Accommodation Crisis. Expert speakers will share insights, and a panel of specialists will discuss burning issues under the umbrella of this theme. 

This Homestay Symposium caters to homestay service providers, education providers, education agents, and professional staff supporting students in accommodation and welfare matters.

Date and Time: Friday 22 March 2024, 3-5pm (Sydney). 5-6pm: Networking drinks and refreshments.

Venue: 2/63 Dixon Street, Haymarket NSW 2000.

Register here.

February 2024

The first NEAS PD was held on the Gold Coast in conjunction with Study Gold Coast and was a roaring success. Attendees enjoyed an afternoon of collaboration and investigation at this Communities of Practice: Leadership in ELT event, which explored the theme of Elevate & Collaborate: Nurturing Growth through Teacher Training and Collegiality in ELT.

There was a special focus on the NEAS requirements for teacher qualifications and tips on how to assess teacher qualifications.

This theme resonated with the current landscape of English Language Teaching (ELT), which is witnessing an influx of new teachers with limited in-class experience. It also explored effective teacher-training strategies; how to equip new teachers with skills and insights to navigate diverse classrooms effectively. By addressing the topic of collaboration, it acknowledged the importance of fostering a collegial work environment where essential support mechanisms are provided, and shared expertise can be easily circulated.  

Attendees expressed their enthusiasm and gratitude for this highly interactive and enjoyable afternoon and calls for more of the same have been heard. Watch this space!

February 2024

Australia Education Management Group (AEMG) is an established global facilitator for partner institutes in the areas of education, research, professional development and student services. As a registered company in Australia, AEMG is specifically focused on the promotion of international education and cross-cultural communication. Since its inception in 2001, the aim of the group has been to promote cultural diversity and educational exchange. AEMG has established cooperation between educational institutes and research centres in China, New Zealand, America and Europe. NEAS recently quality endorsed three centres, Northeast Forestry University (NFU), Ocean University of China (OUC) and Southwest University (SWU), with whom AEMG has established strong partnerships in the delivery of AEMG English language programs.

Congratulates Northeast Forestry University (NFU) on becoming Quality Endorsed with NEAS.

NFU is a public university in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China. It is affiliated with the Ministry of Education, and co-sponsored by the Ministry of Education, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, and the Heilongjiang Provincial People’s Government. 

The English language programs are delivered at NFU by AEMG and constitute a significant portion of the delivery to students in their first year of study. AEMG delivers Academic Language Courses, Academic Research and Culture courses, a Direct Entry Program and an English for Specific Purposes program. Students move through Academic Language Courses, Academic Culture and Research Skills Intermediate and Direct Entry Programs.

The curriculum is centralised and quality-controlled by the Melbourne office of AEMG, and staff at NFU have the flexibility to customise the curriculum to align with the specific needs of their students. The staff members at NFU exhibit a clear comprehension of assessments, uphold academic integrity, and effectively integrate a range of skills into their teaching practices.

Students in the focus group expressed satisfaction with the program, stating, “This is the best education experience I have ever had.” Those interviewed spoke highly of the valuable opportunity to engage in lectures from New Zealand. Students described their teachers as “kind and helpful” and “always available.”

Congratulations to Southwest University (SWU) on achieving Quality Endorsement with NEAS.

SWU, a national public university in Chongqing, China, is affiliated with the Ministry of Education and co-sponsored by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the City of Chongqing.

The English language programs at SWU, delivered by AEMG, constitute a significant portion of the overall delivery to first-year students. The program includes English language courses provided by Australian and New Zealand University partners and a portion is delivered in Chinese by SWU. Students progress through EAP1, EAP2, EAP3, Academic Culture and Research Skills Intermediate, and Direct Entry Programs.

All academic managers at SWU possess relevant qualifications and management experience. Teacher qualifications and experience align with the classes they teach. The university is well-staffed, and management demonstrates an excellent understanding of teachers’ needs.

Management actively participates in joint meetings with all partners, including AEMG, the Australian and New Zealand University partners, and other branch universities in China, which contributes to the continual development of the English language delivery.

Students expressed satisfaction with their learning experience, appreciating access to tutorials with teachers and a custom-designed Learning Management System that facilitates learning consolidation and extension.

Congratulations to Ocean University on achieving Quality Endorsed status with NEAS. 

OUC is a national public research university located in Qingdao, Shandong, China. It is affiliated with the Ministry of Education of China. The university is part of Project 985, Project 211, and the Double First-Class University Plan. 

The English language programs are delivered at OUC by AEMG and the delivery of English language programs includes courses delivered by Australian University partners. The program comprises Academic Language Courses, an Academic Research and Culture course, and a Direct Entry Program. Students progress through Academic Language Courses 1 and 2, Academic Culture and Research Skills Intermediate, and Direct Entry Programs.

Students interviewed spoke highly of the opportunity to participate in lectures from Australia, noting that the lessons are practical and contribute to improving their “English for daily life.” 

Teachers reported a collegial and supportive environment.  Staff were satisfied with the comprehensive professional development program including mentoring, observations, ongoing performance assessment and feedback. 

January 2024

The Centre conducted a comprehensive Self Assessment, considering a range of Quality Principles, and has proposed practical actions for continuous improvement in the upcoming months. Self Assessments serve as reflective activities, enabling ELT centres to evaluate their performance against the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework, fostering understanding, and facilitating improvements. 

All Saints International Centre presented a thorough self-reflection on current practices. The Centre has demonstrated aptitude in presenting well-considered plans for its continuous improvement, focusing on targeted Quality Principles in Areas A: Teaching, Learning, and Assessment; B: The Student Experience; E: Promotion and Student Recruitment; F: Welfare of Students Aged Under 18 Years; and G: Strategy, Risk, and Governance.

January 2024

Charleston English is part of the Times Education Group and is located in downtown Brisbane alongside other Times Education colleges. 

The Centre is currently offering General English classes in the evening and stands out for its student-centric approach. Students praised their teachers for skilfully preparing diverse activities and bringing great variety into the classes. 

Charleston English offers a welcoming and spacious breakout area for students to mingle before class and during breaks. The Centre also hosts special events for various occasions, adding a touch of celebration to the academic experience.

January 2024

Situated in Sydney’s CBD, La Lingua Language School provides students with a prime location and convenient access to public transport and the diverse food outlets in Sydney’s Chinatown.

The Centre recently underwent a digital transformation of its curriculum and learning resources, earning praise from the teaching staff. Participants in the Student Focus Group expressed satisfaction with their learning experience, highlighting opportunities to apply their English language skills outside the classroom during extracurricular activities and excursions.

The Centre’s movie club was recognised by students for its positive impact on their language learning journey. Students also spoke positively about the valuable support provided by the multilingual staff, catering to students in their respective languages. They appreciate the meet-up events organised by the Centre, facilitating interaction with ELICOS students from other Sydney colleges and bolstering their confidence and English language skills.

The Centre prioritises professional development through external and in-house sessions and ensures teachers are kept informed of upcoming professional development events digitally, contributing to the overall success and growth of La Lingua Language School.

January 2024

SELA is an established ELICOS provider in Sydney, offering courses in General English, IELTS, PET, FCE, and CAE Cambridge Courses. SELA attracts students from various countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan, with a predominant age group in their early 20s.

Students in the Focus Group mentioned choosing SELA due to its convenient location, affordable courses, flexibility in course delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the option to select from three different timetables.

Students expressed satisfaction with their courses and teachers and described the feedback process as “nicely done”. They also appreciated the ease of finding rooms and computer facilities for additional study outside regular class hours.

Students were happy with the way they received information through social media channels and notice boards within the Centre. They also enjoy socialising at the level-1 food court in the Sussex Street building.

Teachers in the Focus Group expressed contentment with the course design and valued collaborative resource-sharing on the online platform, SharePoint. Teachers also conveyed satisfaction in promoting SELA as a workplace, acknowledging it for providing “flexible employment opportunities with well-organised class timetables.” Staff members in the Focus Group affirmed SELA’s commitment to fostering a positive, adaptable, and enriching learning environment.

January 2024