Category: NEAS News

Congratulations to Latinoz Education for achieving NEAS endorsement in the Quality Education Agent category. Established in 2019, Latinoz Education is an Australian-registered education agency operating from Melbourne, specialising in recruiting international students primarily from Latin American countries like Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru for ELICOS and Vocational Education and Training courses. Providing comprehensive support services, including flight reservations, initial accommodation arrangements, and employment advice, Latinoz Education maintains a commitment to quality and professionalism through partnership agreements with NEAS members and memberships in key Australian organizations such as ISANA, VCCI, PIER (QEAC), ISEAA, and IEAA. 

NEAS assessed Latinoz Education’s application 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 referenced here: https://neas.org.au/resources/neas-quality-framework/#area-j.  

NEAS employs a unique 360-degree stakeholder feedback model in its Quality Review processes, gathering structured feedback through telephone interviews with partner providers and students. During these interviews, the agency’s commitment to delivering professional, high-quality service to all stakeholders comes through. Providers highlighted the agency’s professionalism and reliability, noting a lack of complaints over its four-year tenure. Students praised the counsellors’ openness, knowledge, and realism, emphasising their assistance in navigating government policies and providing personalised support. The agency’s focus on compliance with legal requirements and continuous research was also commended by students. Overall, students expressed satisfaction with Latinoz Education, feeling well-supported and cared for in a professional yet friendly manner. This sentiment is echoed in the agency’s 4.8-star rating from 26 Google reviews and a perfect 5.0-star rating from 30 Facebook reviews. 

April 2024

Congratulations to the Australian Centre for Education (ACE) Cambodia on the successful completion of the 2024 Quality Review – Self-Assessment, showcasing its commitment to delivering high-quality education in line with the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework. As a distinguished provider of English Language Teaching in Cambodia, ACE operates under the IDP Education brand.

The Centre’s dedication to continuous quality enhancement is evident through various initiatives, including the implementation of recommendations from the 2023 NEAS Quality Management Meeting. Notable efforts include the selection of contemporary textbooks by Program Academic Managers and Lead Teachers to enhance class engagement, as well as the development of new course documents and supplementary materials to enrich the learning experience.

ACE ensures students are well-informed about course objectives, expectations, and learning outcomes through comprehensive communication during initial lessons and on platforms like Google Classroom. Additionally, the Centre’s proactive approach to reviewing resources in the Guided Individual Learning Centre, Bookclub, and Language Learning Advising reflects its commitment to supporting students’ learning beyond traditional classroom settings.

ACE’s thorough self-reflection on current practices, particularly in targeted Quality Principles areas, underscores its dedication to continuous improvement and excellence in education.

April 2024

Congratulations to the Australian Institute of Language (AIL) on a successful quality review activity with NEAS.

Located in the vibrant heart of Melbourne CBD, AIL offers a prime location for international students, facilitating convenient access to language programs during both morning and evening shifts. Its proximity to public transportation, including tram, bus, and train services, ensures ease of travel for students. Students can also enjoy the convenience of nearby amenities like cafes, restaurants, and shops.

AIL enrols students from 25 countries and areas, mostly from Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Turkey and China. The college offers classes in General English, English for Academic Purposes (EAP), and IELTS preparation. AIL enhances students’ learning experiences through various in-class activities, organised excursions, after-class language-focused workshops, and study skills sessions. Workshops on adapting to life in Australia are also available to support students in adjusting to their new environment.

April 2024

Congratulations to RMIT English Worldwide (REW) on the successful completion of its quality review activity with NEAS.

REW has maintained a steady pool of teachers through robust recruitment campaigns and collaborations with the RMIT CELTA program, attracting students from diverse countries, including Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Taiwan, and Korea, who choose REW for their language education.

REW demonstrates a strong commitment to student welfare, exemplified by initiatives such as introducing a therapy dog named Ziggy and employing qualified counselors. Staff members receive training in student wellbeing to address various concerns, including depression, anxiety, and device addiction. Notably, REW’s student wellbeing efforts were recognized with the ISANA Conference Bursary Award for ‘Beside Myself,’ a student-devised theatre production.

REW prioritises staff development through structured processes like SWOT analysis, goal-setting exercises, and regular engagement and wellbeing surveys. Continuous learning opportunities are provided through a professional development committee and individual development plans for teachers.

April 2024

Andrea Pugh, Director of Studies at Education Queensland International 

Congratulations to Andrea Pugh, Director of Studies at Education Queensland International for graduating from the Master Practitioner in ELT NEAS Capstone Course.  

Andrea’s project focused on bridging the gap between schools and international students’ families by finding innovative ways to connect with them. The project launched a community initiative to address the challenges faced by these families in navigating the education system, aiming to foster connections between parents, caregivers, and school staff. It provides practical strategies such as cultural sensitivity training for staff, multilingual support, and regular communication channels. The goal is to bridge language and cultural gaps while enhancing parental engagement and student outcomes. Committed to continuous improvement, Andrea endeavours to sustain this impactful initiative. 

Juliana Chia from James Cook University (JCU) in Singapore 

Congratulations to Juliana Chia from James Cook University (JCU) in Singapore for graduating from the Master Practitioner in ELT NEAS Capstone Course. 

Juliana’s Capstone Project was designed to enhance the teaching of Level Three English at JCU Singapore, enabling direct entry into degree programs. Over 12 weeks, the initiative provides a structured framework for student tasks, ensuring they remain on track and receive the necessary support for academic growth. Furthermore, the project underscores the importance of teacher readiness and class preparation, fostering a holistic approach to English language teaching. 

April 2024

Vietnam USA Society English Centres (VUS) is a leading English Language Teaching institution in Vietnam with approximately 250,000 students enrolled annually throughout the country. The majority of its campuses are located in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) and Hanoi. VUS joined NEAS in 2017 with an initial 15 Centres; 14 in HCMC and 1 in Hanoi. Currently the number of Centres stands at 43. This Quality Assurance activity was conducted to confirm NEAS Quality Endorsement of nine new centres: Vo Van Van Branch – HCM City; Le Quang Dinh Branch – HCM City; Gia Kiem Branch – Dong Nai Province; Long Khanh Branch – Dong Nai Province; Long Thanh Branch – Dong Nai Province; Ba Ria Branch – Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province; Vinh Long Branch – Vinh Long Province; Tay Ninh Branch – Tay Ninh Province; and Can Tho Branch – Can Tho City. 

Congratulations to VUS for its successful completion of the NEAS Quality Assurance activity. 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/. 

VUS cultivates a strong familial atmosphere among students, parents, and teachers through channels such as social media, face-to-face interactions, and the Learning Management System, known as V-Hub. Many teachers and staff members have remained employed at VUS for numerous years, a testament to the supportive culture and favourable working conditions. VUS prioritises the welfare of students under 18 by providing Teacher Assistants and extra classroom support for younger children. To further bolster student welfare efforts, VUS maintains dedicated teams, including the School, Services, and Compliance team, and the Administration and Student Affairs team, with all team members trained in student welfare practices. 

April 2024

Congratulations to Griffith University – Faculty of Humanities, Language and Social Science on successfully completing a quality review activity with NEAS.  

NEAS quality endorses two ELT qualifications at the Faculty of Humanities, the Graduate Certificate in TESOL and the Master of TESOL. These courses attract domestic and international students, particularly from Southeast Asian countries and South America. Some students are also enrolled in a Master of TESOL and Leadership which involves four additional subjects from within the Business School. This degree has been added to the scope in reply to international students’ desire for study work rights. 

Offered in a hybrid format, the courses provide flexibility through Microsoft Teams, ensuring quality education both on-campus and asynchronously. Students are required to observe twenty hours of teaching classes and are supervised and assessed in their delivery of six-hour lessons. The university department has signed agreements with an extensive range of language centres and supervisors in several locations to accommodate the diverse needs of its students.   

Students have access to university support services, including learning advisors and the English Help service, with a small International Student Services team available at the Nathan campus. Participation in industry discussions through the TEAMS GU TESOL Committee group is encouraged, covering a range of topics including career information and upcoming industry seminars and conferences. 

April 2024