NEWS

Starfish Education Resumes In-person Classes

STARFISH Education, the first NEAS Quality Endorsed Centre in Myanmar, is pleased to announce the resumption of in-person classes, marking a noteworthy return to on-site engagement. This move underscores the Centre’s dedication to providing quality education and reflects its adaptability in navigating challenges.

As face-to-face learning resumes, STARFISH Education is committed to fostering a dynamic learning environment, prioritising personalised and impactful education. 

Congratulations to STARFISH Education on this significant step!

November 2023.

Associations Forum Awards

The NEAS team is proud to have been a nominee at the Associations Forum Association Awards ceremony on Tuesday 21 November, 2023. NEAS was nominated for the Association External Campaign of the Year 2023.

The campaign highlighted for this award was the Ukraine Workshop Series Campaign, which was in response to an urgent call from the Ukraine Ambassador Vasyl Myroshnychenko and GoGlobal NGO. In consultation with them, NEAS provided organisational resources and support to deliver this workshop series. 

This workshop was free for all participants and attendees, and centred around trauma-informed practice and teaching, maintaining student and teacher motivation and mental health, as well as building resilience in ELT in times of crisis. 

November 2023

NEAS Board Director, David Riordan, receives award for: Outstanding Contributions to the International Education Sector

The NEAS Team congratulates David Riordan, Director on the NEAS Board, for receiving the inaugural award for ‘Outstanding Contributions to the International Education Sector’, a new category introduced at the Study NSW International Education Awards 2023.

David has dedicated 30 years to the field of international education. David has held many prominent positions, including CEO of the NSW Department of Education International, CEO of TAFE NSW, CEO of the Office of Communities, and Director of City Services at the City of Sydney. This recognition is well-deserved and marks the culmination of three decades of exceptional service.

The team at NEAS is delighted and proud to celebrate David’s remarkable achievements!

November 2023

NEAS Australia Welcomes a New CEO!

It is with immense pleasure that NEAS extends a warm congratulations to Mr Adam Kilburn, the next Chief Executive Officer and Public Officer of NEAS Australia. 

Adam brings extensive experience in the English Language Teaching sector, most recently as Director of Holmesglen’s English Language Centre in Melbourne.  

Adam has had executive oversight for ELICOS, AMEP and teacher training programs within a TAFE and training environment, specialising in management and bringing experience as lead teacher and teacher trainer specialist. 

With deep knowledge of student recruitment, quality and compliance, and curriculum development, we are confident that Adam’s skill set and experience in business start-ups and process improvement will be an asset to NEAS.  

Adam holds a Master of Arts (Language and Literacy) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Our capable NEAS team, consisting of Daniel Yuen, Operations Manager, Rima Ibrahim, Education Manager and Peetra Lechte, Communications Manager, continue to support our members throughout the leadership transition period. Please do not hesitate to contact us for anything you may need during this time. 

At the end of November, we will have our farewell to Dr Patrick Pheasant, but for now, we officially welcome Adam to the role, commencing 8 January 2024. 

November 2023

Registrations are now open for our 2024 NEAS Management Conference!

It is with great excitement and pleasure that we announce the launch of the BUY TICKETS page for our next NEAS Management Conference to be held on 9 & 10 May 2024. 

Limited First Release Tickets Available Now for Members Only! Buy now

Day 1, Thursday (9 May 2024) is dedicated to the Academic Manager Workshop and participants will be invited to explore, in an intimate setting, key issues related to the changing landscapes that surround the role of the Academic Manager.

Day 2, Friday (10 May 2024) features Plenary Speakers and Panels of speakers all delving deep into the theme of this year’s conference and full catering is provided with a sumptuous buffet lunch, morning and afternoon teas and drinks and canapés to finish.

The theme is: 

Quality Revolution: Rethinking, Reshaping, and Redefining Excellence in ELT

This theme challenges the traditional notions of quality assurance in English Language Teaching (ELT), management, and leadership, urging participants to envision and drive a paradigm shift in how we perceive and ensure excellence in English language education.

The theme encourages a deep dive into innovative approaches, disruptive strategies, and transformative frameworks that redefine quality assurance practices. It aims to inspire provocative discussions, ignite change-driven thinking, and propel participants towards reimagining and reshaping the future of ELT quality assurance. We will be focusing on questions such as: 

  • How can we redefine and measure excellence in ELT beyond traditional quality assurance methods, taking into account innovative approaches and revolutionary strategies?
  • What role does leadership play in driving the Quality Revolution in ELT, and how can leaders inspire change-driven thinking among educators and institutions?
  • What transformative frameworks and best practices can be explored to reshape the future of ELT quality assurance, ensuring it remains relevant in an evolving educational landscape?

November 2023

NEAS Management Conference 2024 Plenary Speaker: Louka Parry

We are immensely proud to have secured our Plenary Speaker: Louka Parry!

Idea Curator. Learning Futurist. Global Strategist. Believer that the future belongs to those who constantly and rapidly unlearn and relearn in their daily work and life.

As one of Australia’s top innovators Louka Parry speaks on futures, leadership, and transformation; having worked with thousands of leaders and educators from diverse contexts across the world, including in high-level policy fora such as the OECD, UNESCO, the European Commission, and with all Australian States and Territories.

An award-winning educator, speaker, facilitator and adventurer, Louka’s powerful ability to communicate ideas with clarity allows him to guide thinking about learning, leadership and life to new places, earning him a place in 2022 as a Top 100 Innovator for Australia.

As CEO + Founder of The Learning Future, Louka is committed to transforming learning structures, systems and societies that further empower individuals to develop the key human capabilities that matter most now and into the future. 

At a time in history when converging technologies are rapidly changing the realities of workplaces and schools, Louka is passionate about exploring the connection point between learning and the era of AI, through powerful provocations.

Louka also co-leads the non-profit Karanga: The Global Alliance for Social-Emotional Learning and Life Skills, which connects the global education community at the forefront of the future of education and social-emotional learning to empower children, educators and communities all across the globe.

A rapid learner, Louka speaks five languages, has visited over 80 countries, holds two Masters degrees, completed executive studies at Harvard and a residency at the d.school at Stanford University. 

As an education leader, Louka was promoted to Principal at only 27 years old and was named South Australian Inspirational Public Secondary Teacher of the Year.

November 2023

NEAS Congratulates South Australia College of English (SACE) for completing a successful quality review activity! 

SACE is located in Adelaide, South Australia, and has been welcoming students from diverse regions including South America, Southeast Asia, Europe, and China. 

Currently, SACE provides General English and Academic English courses, including IELTS and PTE preparation. In addition, students enjoy English Plus, a specialised program tailored for golf enthusiasts.

With over 25 years experience, SACE has established strong partnerships with prestigious institutions like Flinders University and TAFE, ensuring seamless academic pathways for its students. The Centre also provides dedicated homestay services, overseen by a homestay coordinator, to ensure a comfortable and enriching living experience for international students.

SACE places great emphasis on student satisfaction and actively seeks their feedback, offering effective mechanisms for communication and improvement. Through Club SACE, students can unwind and bond with peers every Friday afternoon while enjoying extracurricular activities. These activities include field trips, such as trips to the Adelaide Show, museums, and sporting activities. In addition, SACE collaborates with Study Adelaide to provide access to free and discounted weekend events for international students.

October 2023

NEAS Congratulates Sarina Russo Institute!

Sarina Russo Institute (SRI) Brisbane campus is one of the 90+ Sarina Russo Group sites across Australia. The Centre offers a range of vocational and English language programs, including the Intensive General English (IGE) program and the Bridging English Entry Program (BEEP). In addition SRI provides a weekly, one-hour multi-level speaking class, which also facilitates creative group activities.

The Centre features a resource centre, offering access to learning software and a space for small group gatherings. Support staff, including a dedicated qualified student counsellor, are readily available to assist students. A dedicated student space, where complimentary fruit is provided for students in the mornings, and free photocopying services are available give students an added sense of being cared for. 

SRI students reported being satisfied with the quality of learning and the support they received from their teachers and management and described the staff as ‘amazing’. Teachers described the organisation as efficient, caring, honest, and a great place to work!

October 2023

Congratulations to The Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET).

The Australian Centre for Education and Training (ACET) serves as IDP Education’s English language teaching college, operating four campuses across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. ACET is committed to providing English courses that equip students with the necessary skills for work, study, or migration.

We extend our congratulations to ACET for its successful completion of the NEAS Quality Review for 2023. 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/.

Through Focus Group interviews and online survey responses, ACET teachers highlighted that the Centres promote quality of delivery by regularly assessing students and providing frequent feedback. At the conclusion of each course, surveys are distributed to students via email. Students, in turn, expressed their gratitude for the dual-teacher approach in their program, praising instructors for their clarity in teaching and their support in skill development. It is worth noting that teachers willingly assist students with questions and extra work upon request. Within the teachers’ rooms, both digital and physical resources are readily available. Additionally, Independent Learning Centres (ILC) are actively used, offering valuable resources for both teachers and students.

October 2023

Congratulations to Hello Australia for the successful completion of its 2023 Quality Review initiative!

Hello Australia, an Australian-registered education agent, is part of the Hello Study group of companies, which includes Hello Canada, Hello England, and Hello USA. Hello Australia commenced recruiting international students from its headquarters in Brisbane in 2007. Since then, it has expanded its reach, with offices in Sydney (2011), Melbourne (2016), the Gold Coast (2017), and the Sunshine Coast (2018). Hello Australia has established partnership agreements with several NEAS Member Centres. In addition to NEAS Quality Endorsement, Hello Australia is also certified by multiple Australian and international organisations.

NEAS conducted its assessment of Hello Australia’s operations and services 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 found here: https://neas.org.au/resources/neas-quality-framework/#area-j

NEAS employs a distinctive 360-degree stakeholder feedback model in its review processes. The completion of staff surveys underscores the agency’s commitment to delivering professional, high-quality services. This commitment was evident during student interviews, where the agency’s care and professionalism were highlighted. Students appreciated how the staff attentively listened to their needs. Student interviews revealed the agency’s focus on compliance with legal requirements and related processes. Students described the staff as empathetic and understanding, highlighting their ability to comprehend the needs and concerns of students.

October 2023