NEWS

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

NEAS congratulates Centre for English Language Teaching, University of Western Australia (CELT UWA) for completing a successful Quality Review Activity.

CELT UWA is dedicated to delivering a comprehensive English Language Pathway for students by offering a range of courses, including Language and Communication Essentials (LCE), English for Academic Purposes (EAP) m and Bridging Course (BC), all designed to equip students with the necessary language proficiency and academic skills for their future undergraduate and postgraduate studies. 

The curriculums at CELT UWA have been developed, taking into consideration feedback from students and teachers. Continuous course evaluation is an integral part of the teaching process, facilitated through course curricula notes. In addition, student surveys are conducted periodically to ensure ongoing improvement and alignment of learning outcomes with students’ needs and aspirations. 

CELT UWA recognises the importance of a conducive learning environment and ensures that all students receive academic support and have access to extensive resources at UWA libraries. The Centre also holds licence for various digital resources which enhance the learning experience.

July 2023

The Occupational English Test (OET) is an English language proficiency exam for healthcare professionals. It assesses reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in a healthcare context, helping to ensure effective communication. Recognised worldwide, OET is a high stakes test accepted by the Australian, UK, US, and New Zealand governments for visa purposes. The test is also accepted by regulatory bodies, employers, and educational institutions.

NEAS is pleased to assess and endorse OET in the category of Quality Products and Services (Area K). The Quality Principles of Area K focus on these features of the target Product and Service: its underlying research; its fulfilment of purpose; its processes for maintaining quality; its uniqueness and innovation; and its contribution to the ELT community. Detailed information on Area K of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework can be referenced here: https://neas.org.au/resources/neas-quality-framework/#area-k. 

OET’s commitment to research, both in quantity and quality, is commendable. Collaborating closely with healthcare professionals in diverse clinical settings, OET develops authentic test items to evaluate candidates’ professional communication abilities. The rigorous validation, training, and moderation of item writers and assessors reflect their high standards. With 12 tailored versions for different medical and allied health fields, follow-up studies indicate that OET high scorers are preferred by leaders in medical domains. OET has earned the reputation as the ‘gold standard’ for recruiting proficient medical personnel from non-English speaking backgrounds.

July 2023

Congratulations to Ivanhoe Grammar School on completing a successful Quality Review Activity with NEAS. 

Ivanhoe Grammar School (IGS), a private multi-campus school in Melbourne, has been enrolling international students since 1941. The campuses offer spacious grounds and excellent facilities that are close to public transport and Melbourne CBD. The School offers both the VCE and the International Baccalaureate (IB), together with a vibrant and exciting range of learning and co-curricular programs.

The curriculum is designed to link the students’ EAL preparation with mainstream subjects and is taught by highly qualified teachers who are trained to deliver both ELICOS and other subjects. Students are given access to a range of academic and pastoral support including after-hour tutorial support, advice on time management, academic and personal skill development and one-on-one assistance.

Ivanhoe Grammar School fosters a strong culture of inclusiveness, collaboration and support and operates with the motto ‘Four campuses – One School’. With transparent channels of communication, all staff, students and teachers engage comfortably with each other and management.

Students reported in the survey and Focus Group being pleased with the course design and the quality outcomes it provides. One of the students commented: “Teachers are very kind. They can take care of each student. They make me feel comfortable and after class teacher can help me a lot”.

July 2023

Congratulations to INUS English on completing a successful Quality Review activity with NEAS!

NEAS conducted a Site Visit and Management Meeting at INUS English, covering key areas of the NEAS Quality Framework and areas of significance for the Centre.

INUS English is conveniently located on the ground floor of the renowned Royal Children’s Hospital building in Parkville, Melbourne. The College is easily accessible by public transport and is in close proximately to a range of amenities including cafes, restaurants and a tranquil park situated at the back of the building.

INUS English fosters a diverse and inclusive learning environment, welcoming students from Thailand, Colombia, Chile, Japan, South Korea and China. With its dedicated ELICOS team, INUS English is committed to ongoing improvement to ensure the delivery of high-quality education. 

July 2023

Congratulations to the Language Studies Centre at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD)! UOWD provides a comprehensive range of language programs catering to the diverse needs of its students. With an emphasis on practical application and cultural understanding, the Centre’s language courses enhance students’ linguistic and communication skills for academic study, professional engagement, or personal growth. Highly qualified instructors employ innovative teaching methodologies and interactive approaches to ensure effective language learning outcomes.

UOWD College has now successfully completed the NEAS Quality Review exercise for 2023. This involved structured meetings and focus group discussions with management, students, teachers and professional staff. Anonymised Health Check surveys were used to develop areas of focus for the conduct of the Quality Review, and comprehensive stakeholder feedback was triangulated and mapped to 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/. 

UOWD course design meets the desired goals of students through well-articulated learning outcomes. Curricula are thorough and comprehensive with good guidance provided for teachers. Teachers participating in the focus group interview reported that they had a lot of freedom in interpreting the curricula and tailoring classes to the immediate needs of students. During their structured interview session, students also reported that they were happy with the teaching style and spoke favourably of combined class activities. Students are offered 1:1 individual lessons; this is an excellent initiative and is to be commended. Action plans are formulated to help students improve targeted skills areas.

June 2023

Congratulations to Whitsundays College of English on completing a successful Quality Review activity with NEAS.

Whitsundays College of English received its initial endorsement from NEAS in 2022. The College’s campus is located on level 4 of 579 Harris Street in Ultimo, strategically positioned near Darling Quarter and conveniently accessible by both buses and Central Station. 

The campus boasts a well-designed layout, featuring the student services desk in the main foyer, well-sized and equipped classrooms and a large staff room conjoined to the Director of Studies office. 

Whitsundays College of English attracts students from South America including Brazil, Colombia, Chile and Peru in addition to students from Mongolia and Thailand. The College places significant emphasis on providing academic support to its students. This includes regular feedback and academic support sessions.

June 2023