NEWS

NEAS Connects with ASEAN and Its Region – CamTESOL Conference

At CamTESOL Phnom Penh, Peetra Lechte, NEAS’ Communications Manager was joined by Adam Kilburn, CEO to present on QA and Leadership is the New Normal, highlighting the importance of Quality Assurance in the ELT sector.

QA & Leadership have become part of our everyday existence; we no longer resist the idea of ‘auditing’ or see it as some kind of punishment. Instead, we have come to understand that it is indeed a beneficial part of a reflective practice. Without a QA framework and expert leaders to guide us, we would not know what or how to improve.

In order to strengthen multilateral relationships between ASEAN, Australia and internationally, with English as the lingua franca, the importance of English language proficiency is constantly intensifying. It is commonly recognised that good quality English language tuition is central to career capital and that by possessing good English language proficiency, international employment and further study prospects will expand, lifestyles can be elevated and healthy competition in the world of jobseekers will be bolstered.

March 2024

NEAS Connects with ASEAN and Its Region – GPEX Partners Conference

Last week saw NEAS represented at the GPEX Conference in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia and at CamTESOL in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

At the GPEX Partners Conference NEAS CEO, Adam Kilburn and Education Manager, Rima Ibrahim, presented on the importance of Teacher Training through ongoing Professional Development, mentoring programs and support from management. Their focus included throwing a spotlight on the importance of teacher training to quality. By ensuring teachers receive comprehensive PD, the quality of their teaching will elevate, resulting in a quality learning experience for students.

This presentation also explored the evolution of English Language Teaching, witnessing NEAS dynamically adapt its quality standards to the changing educational landscape. From traditional chalkboards to cutting-edge chatbots, NEAS facilitates excellence, guiding ELT’s transformative journey with insight and adaptability.

March 2024

Changing of the guard

We’re making some changes at NEAS, including with our staffing.  Silvia Loss is moving into the Communications role vacated by Peetra Lechte. 

Although Peetra will be stepping down from this full-time post, she will continue her activity in the Quality Assurance space as an experienced Quality Assessor. She looks forward to catching up with you there!

In addition, Peetra will be progressing NEAS’ international connections and projects and is excited to nurture the friendships she has established between NEAS and overseas partners in the ASEAN region and the Middle East. So, please don’t consider her gone, but simply as taking a side-step. 

Silvia comes to NEAS with solid experience in the ELT sector and is excited to embark on this new chapter in her career – we welcome her with open arms!

March 2024

NEAS Management Conference – Just 8 Weeks and counting!

SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT

Panel 2: Education Agents

Join us for an enlightening discussion at our panel event: “Global Navigators: Redefining Quality in International Student Recruitment within the ELT Landscape.”

Meet our distinguished panellists, representatives from NEAS Quality Endorsed Education Agents, each bringing valuable insights and expertise to the table.

In this session, we’ll take a deep dive into the latest trends and innovations in international student recruitment. we will also gain fresh perspectives and practical strategies from our industry leaders as we explore ways to enhance quality standards and navigate the global education landscape together.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn, and contribute to the future of student recruitment and Education Agents.

March 2024

Congratulations to Southern Cross University (SCU) College!

Congratulations to Southern Cross University (SCU) College for achieving Quality Endorsement of its Business Communication and International Communication courses in the Online Delivery category. 

SCU College specialises in preparing international students for academic success at university and beyond, offering tailored programs that focus on language development, academic skills, and confidence building. Through strategic partnerships with universities in China, SCU College delivers two 10-week units in English for Academic Purposes, with a particular emphasis on business and international communication (ENGL1006 Business Communication and ENGL1007 International Communication). These programs benefit from the presence of dedicated SCU College academic staff in China, as well as local IT support, ensuring seamless delivery and additional student assistance. Using its advanced Learning Management System, Blackboard, SCU College integrates third-party applications for online class delivery while incorporating interactive HTML5 elements and employing anti-plagiarism software to maintain academic integrity. This holistic approach demonstrates SCU College’s commitment to providing a supportive and enriching educational environment for its diverse student population.

NEAS assessed the courses using the Quality Principles in Area H: Online Delivery. These Quality Principles focus on: ensuring the design of the online environment supports a positive and engaging user experience; the appropriateness of learning and assessment strategies for virtual delivery; provision of learning resources and technology to facilitate learning; and the presence of an integrated reporting system to support the online courses. Please refer to this section of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework for further information: https://neas.org.au/resources/neas-quality-framework/#area-h

The assessed courses excel in accessibility, employing a consistent sans-serif font and incorporating closed-captioned videos, picture menus, and hyperlinks. Discussion forums and breakout rooms facilitate student engagement and one-on-one interaction. Content reflects local issues, and pronunciation activities target language interference. Collaborative learning activities like role plays and peer assessments are complemented by innovative applications to develop digital and linguistic skills. The courses prioritise digital competencies to prepare learners for university study and provide IT and academic support in their native language.

February 2024

Congratulations to StudentWorld on successfully completing its 2024 Quality Review activity!

StudentWorld, an Australian-registered Education and Migration Consultant Agency, operates within a larger international network spanning 17 office locations across 14 countries, including Spain, India, Nepal, Lebanon, and the Philippines. Since its inception in 2000, StudentWorld has been recruiting international students primarily from India, with additional recruitment from China, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, the Philippines, and Brazil for study opportunities in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, and the UK. StudentWorld has partnership agreements with several NEAS members. In addition to NEAS Quality Endorsement, StudentWorld holds certifications from other prominent Australian organisations including ICEF, ISEAA, and PIER/ITAC.

NEAS conducted its assessment of StudentWorld’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 referenced here: https://neas.org.au/resources/neas-quality-framework/#area-j.  

NEAS implements a unique 360-degree stakeholder feedback approach in its review procedures. Staff surveys, in conjunction with internal documents such as the Counsellor Handbook & Ethical Framework for Student World and its Counsellors in Collaboration with Providers, underscore the agency’s dedication to delivering professional and high-quality service to all stakeholders. These documents outline legal standards, guidelines, and expectations for counsellors, ensuring adherence to compliance and ethical practices. Additionally, the Student Evaluation Form is used to assess student needs and tailor advice accordingly. Provider and student interviews further highlighted the agency’s commitment to legal compliance and professionalism, with students expressing satisfaction with the service received from StudentWorld. Students praised the staff’s knowledge and expertise, often recommending the agency based on their positive experiences with counsellors.

February 2024

Master Practitioners in ELT 

NEAS congratulates Mr. James King, Ms. Li Mien Han (Joanne), and Ms. Pamela Arumynathan from James Cook University (JCU), Singapore, on completing the NEAS Capstone Course: Master Practitioner in ELT.

The Master Practitioner in ELT is the NEAS Capstone Course. It is suitable for the ELT professional who is working, teaching or studying in the ELT field and has gained considerable experience in applying quality assurance principles in their professional practice.  This course provides opportunities to demonstrate and apply knowledge, skills and experience with the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework to the ELT context.

Mr. James King’s capstone project explores the topic of online self-directed grammar and vocabulary practice materials to enhance students’ writing accuracy. The project addresses a critical need for improved English language proficiency in a blended learning environment, aiming to enhance language skills and tackle academic writing challenges for international students. It aligns with the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework, incorporates task types inspired by Cambridge exams, and demonstrates successful student trials, emphasising adaptability and commitment to learning outcomes.

In her capstone project, Ms. Li Mien Han addresses the reading comprehension needs of students in the English Language Preparatory Program (ELPP) at JCU Singapore. Through the incorporation of six supplementary reading practices, the project has yielded positive outcomes, including heightened interest, improved reading performance, and increased motivation. This aligns seamlessly with the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework.

Ms. Pamela Arumynathan’s project delves into academic writing nuances among pre-sessional international English for Academic Purposes (EAP) students at JCU Singapore. Aligned with the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework, the study uncovers insights into paraphrasing and plagiarism, shedding light on participants’ cultural backgrounds and prior learning experiences. The results emphasise areas for improvement, particularly in fostering a deeper understanding of foundational concepts and discourse dimensions of source use. This research contributes valuable knowledge to enhance international students’ academic writing skills, promoting cross-cultural awareness and alignment with quality assurance standards.

February 2024

NEAS Conference 2024 – SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT

Panel 1: HOMESTAY

Excitingly, there will be three panel discussions on the Main Day program that are guaranteed to encourage vitalised thought and discussion.  

Panel 1 Homestay

Panel 2 Education Agents 

Panel 3 Wellbeing

This week we throw the spotlight on Panel 1: Homestay

Australia has reached a historic milestone by establishing the world’s first-ever set of quality standards for homestay accommodation. This achievement is pivotal in ensuring a premium experience for international students, especially during a time of extreme rental increases, where quality homestays serve as a quick and affordable solution.

Expert speakers will share insights, and a panel of specialists will field an open Question and Answer session, addressing key queries such as:

·       What are the Homestay Standards?

·       How can I assist students in finding high-quality hosted accommodation?

·       Who is responsible for insurance, and where can it be purchased?

February 2024

NEAS Management Conference – 9 weeks to go!

This week we focus on two more areas within ELT that are undergoing revolutionary adjustment: teacher training and technological advancement.

Teacher training is another part of the ELT sector that is undergoing a revolution of sorts. The significance of continuous professional development (PD) for English language teachers cannot be stressed enough. “Effective teaching requires ongoing reflection, learning, and growth,” Richards (2017) explains. “Investing in teacher training programs and professional development opportunities enhances educators’ pedagogical skills and enables them to meet the diverse needs of their students effectively.” By prioritising teacher development, ELT institutions can ensure quality instruction and student success. PD should also focus on inclusive practices that address the diverse needs of learners in ELT. Implementing inclusive pedagogical approaches and providing support services for learners with special educational needs promotes equity and diversity in ELT.

Driven by advancements in digital technology, ELT is witnessing a paradigm shift towards the integration of innovative tools and platforms. From AI-powered language tutoring systems to gamified mobile apps, these technologies offer learners unprecedented opportunities to practice and refine their English language skills in engaging virtual environments. Digitised assessment methods, as part of a suite of other methodologies, can play a part in accurately gauging learners’ progress and provide targeted support for improvement.  

References:

Richards, J. C. (2017). Continuous Professional Development for Language Teachers: Strategies for Effective Teaching. Pearson Education.

February 2024

News from Adam

As the new CEO at NEAS Australia, Adam Kilburn will be sharing regular insights with us through this column News From Adam. This week brings you his second update. 

One of the great things about NEAS is its international profile. With a membership that extends well beyond Australia, NEAS is a global community for those committed to improvement. I’m off overseas today to attend the CamTESOL conference in Cambodia at which NEAS is to be acknowledged for its ongoing commitment to this highly celebrated event.  CamTESOL draws professionals working in our sector from around the world, including a good number of our members, both from Australia and the south-east Asian region. I hope to meet some of you there.

Of course, NEAS has its own thought-leading event: the annual NEAS Management Conference to be held on the 9th and 10th of May in Sydney. We have an exciting mix of speakers engaging with us on the theme of “Quality Revolution”. Change – and hasn’t there been a lot of it lately (!?) – forces us to rethink our way to excellence. New modes of delivery; artificial intelligence; working remotely now feature prominently in our professional lives. So, given these changes, the questions are: has excellence changed? Has our way of getting there changed?  I’m really looking forward to hearing from our speakers and discussing these questions with you at the conference.     Registrations are now open but note that our format has changed this year. There are limited places. Please get in soon and register​​​​​​​.

As always, I am keen to hear from you. Please feel free to get in touch with me directly. Although we’re dispersed across the world, I’m interested in learning more about you in your own setting so that NEAS can be the most integrated, member-focused, thoughtful, and community-responsive quality organisation in our sector!

February 2024