NEWS

NOVA Institute of Technology is a multi-campus VET provider, offering General English (GE) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses at its main campus in Melbourne, with additional locations in Adelaide and Sydney. The Melbourne campus is centrally located in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, providing easy access to public transport, dining options, and shopping centres. The campus occupies a single floor and features state-of-the-art facilities, including a central common area where students can socialise, use microwaves, and engage in informal conversations with peers, teachers, and staff.

Currently, the Melbourne branch delivers GE and EAP programs to a diverse student body from countries such as South America, Thailand, and India. To enhance language learning outside the classroom, NOVA Institute holds informal fortnightly combined English language classes, where students enjoy ‘potluck’ dining by bringing a dish to share. Teachers actively encourage students to participate in language exchange opportunities in Melbourne.

For professional development, NOVA Institute of Technology has a dedicated PD calendar featuring in-house and external events, including those from NEAS. Compulsory peer observations are conducted once per term, which have proven highly effective. Additionally, teachers participate in professional development opportunities offered by English Australia, National Geographic, Pearson, and Cambridge University Press whenever possible.

August 2024

NEAS congratulates The University of Sydney Centre for English Teaching (CET) for successfully completing a Quality Review Activity.

The University of Sydney’s Centre for English Teaching (CET) continues to provide high-quality education to international students, predominantly from China, with most students enrolled in their Direct Entry Courses (DECs). CET also offers specialised courses for study groups from Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand, along with short academic skill development programs.

Courses at CET are delivered via the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS), mirroring the platform used for primary university courses. Feedback from the Student Focus Group was overwhelmingly positive, with students expressing enthusiasm for their studies and a strong sense of support from the CET team. One student remarked, “This is a real college, and you can feel it,” highlighting the authenticity of the learning experience.

Students were confident in their language progress and praised the constructive feedback from teachers. CET also offers additional support through at-risk support classes, an “intervention club” aligned with the intervention policy, and a “transition program” to assist students as they progress to further study at the university. Management reported that tracking CET students into the first year of their primary university courses has yielded positive results.

CET’s commitment to student well-being is evident, with two dedicated counsellors available five days a week. Students can easily access support via reception, email, or an online form.

Teachers at CET appreciate the centre’s open-door policy, which fosters direct communication with management regarding teaching schedules, content, and other concerns. Professional development (PD) is regular and CET management also actively promotes attendance at external conferences, such as the NEAS Management Conference, the English Australia Conference, and UECA, ensuring continuous professional growth for their staff.

August 2024

The JCU Language School at James Cook University Singapore provides English language programs to help students improve their language skills for academic and professional purposes. With an emphasis on interactive learning and cultural immersion, students develop essential communication skills in a supportive environment.

Congratulations to JCU Language School 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 JCU Language School offers the English Language Preparatory Program (ELPP) to international students as a pathway to further studies at JCU Singapore and other higher education institutions. The ELPP is structured into five levels, from Beginner to Advanced, and operates in 12-week trimesters with three shifts. The program ensures quality through a rigorous validation process for each assessment, involving all teachers in post-test marking, analysis, and discussion. The teaching staff at JCU are highly experienced, with between nine and 31 years of experience, and they engage in regular professional development. Notably, four members of the teaching team have recently completed their Master Practitioner Certificates with NEAS, highlighting their commitment to professional growth.

JCU Singapore actively recruits international students, focusing its marketing efforts on East Asia, North America, and Europe. The university’s Admissions Department supports international students by providing assistance in all aspects of student life. JCU Singapore fosters a culture of professionalism, collaboration, and support, with transparent communication among staff, students, and teachers. The Student Welfare department ensures student well-being, with all staff trained in first aid and psychological first aid. Each student is also assigned a staff member as an ambassador, ensuring personalised support throughout their academic journey.

August 2024

Western Sydney University (WSU) The College, located at the Sydney Olympic Park campus, provides a well-furnished and supportive learning environment. The facilities include modern classroom technology, breakout areas, and a spacious communal area for teachers.

The College hosts a diverse student body, with a significant number of students from Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. The principal course offered to students is English for Academic Purposes (EAP). In addition to EAP, the College offers various other courses like the Teacher Education Direct Entry English Program. Upon completing EAP 5, most students transition into various courses at WSU.

WSU The College benefits from being part of a larger university, particularly in the provision of a well-organised student admissions process, comprehensive support and wellbeing services, and homestay services which contribute to students’ overall academic success.

In the focus group and survey, students expressed their satisfaction with the academic support classes and appreciated their teachers. Teachers, some of whom have been with the College for several years, also appreciate the supportive environment, which has contributed to their long-term commitment.

August 2024

Congratulations to the University of Technology (UTS) College for completing a quality review activity with NEAS.

UTS College is located at 645 Harris Street Ultimo, one of four UTS locations that can accommodate students for language classes, academic support and student common areas. The common areas promote social interaction between students during their class breaks. Students mentioned that there were also plenty of opportunities to study before and after class in the UTS library.

A proud NEAS member since 1989, UTS College has been a gateway for students aiming for direct entry into UTS. The current student body is primarily from China, with others from Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea. In a recent Focus Group, students expressed their satisfaction with the support and information they receive, sharing sentiments like, “everyone can help, and teachers help me a lot” and “I now have fewer problems in my life.” They described their teachers as “happy,” “friendly,” “funny,” and “caring,” and felt that they were making solid progress in their studies, gaining confidence along the way.

During Welcome Week, students are informed about various opportunities to enhance their learning experience. They learn about joining campus clubs and groups, and how to access support services like the HELPS (Higher Ed Learning and Pathways Support) centre and online resources.

Teachers in the Focus Group expressed confidence that students are well-integrated into university life, with ample chances to join over 100 clubs across the wider university campus.

July 2024

NEAS congratulates Deakin University English Language Institute (DUELI) for successfully completing a Quality Review activity.  

DUELI’s diverse cohort includes students from Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe. These students benefit from comprehensive access to Deakin University’s services and facilities, including the library, medical centre, and fitness centre. They also receive membership to the Deakin University Student Association (DUSA), further integrating them into the university community. 

DUELI students also enjoy a designated conversation room, computer lab, and the Independent Learning Centre (ILC). The ILC is equipped with online resources for language development, CDs and DVDs to enhance listening and comprehension skills, pronunciation and listening comprehension tools, daily newspapers, magazines, books, and complimentary photocopying services. 

Teachers at DUELI are matched to classes based on their teaching experience, ensuring a high standard of education. Student feedback reflects this dedication, with the majority expressing high satisfaction with the course delivery, assessment methods, and teaching strategies. Students have also confirmed receiving adequate feedback on assessments and course progression. Focus Group participants reported feeling well supported by DUELI’s teachers, professional staff, and management, with one student noting significant academic progress. 

To further support student success, DUELI offers a variety of workshops including pronunciation workshops, grammar games classes, and EAP researching workshops, all strategically designed to enhance learning outcomes. 

July 2024

Congratulations to CQUEnglish Sydney for completing a Self-Assessment quality review activity. 

The Self-Assessment is a structured activity that supports the centre in reviewing its most recent NEAS Quality Review report, internal review and evaluation observations, feedback from students and other stakeholders, the centre’s strategic plan, and external factors such as industry intelligence or current media issues. CQUEnglish Sydney conducted a self-assessment against four key Quality Principles from the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework, chosen based on their relevance to the centre. 

Principle A1: Course design supports quality learning outcomes, was chosen based on feedback from students and staff. The centre plans to update its materials and introduce surveys that gather insights on course design, materials, and assessments. 

Under Principle A5: Students are encouraged to take control of their language learning, CQUEnglish Sydney plans to re-evaluate and redesign its Independent Learning to incorporate flipped learning, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to educational enhancement. Additionally, the centre aims to increase the involvement of higher education staff with ELICOS students through regular information sessions, creating a more supportive and integrated learning environment to enhance student engagement and success. 

For Principle B2: Students have the information and support needed to adjust to living and studying in this country, the centre will enhance information provided to students about life in Australia and wellbeing throughout each course.  

Considering recommendations from previous quality review reports, the centre selected Principle D4: The Centre supports a performance and development culture for all staff. This initiative aims to diversify how teachers share ideas and resources, including hosting online seminars by CQUniversity experts on topics like Artificial Intelligence and Academic Integrity Literacy. These efforts will equip teachers with knowledge on ethical AI use in learning and reduce instances of academic misconduct. 

The Centre is commended for integrating feedback from previous NEAS Quality Review activities into its ongoing planning for continuous improvement. This demonstrates its dedication to excellence and ongoing development. 

July 2024