NEWS

AREA M: Transnational Delivery, Area N: Foundation Programs

Demonstrate your commitment to teaching excellence and delivery of trusted education outcomes in your Centre’s Transitional Delivery or Foundation Programs by achieving NEAS Quality Endorsement. 

NEAS launched its purpose-designed Quality Areas in Transnational Delivery and Foundation Programs in 2022, after extensive consultation and trialling.

NEAS advances global Quality Assurance by supporting transnational education providers that offer offshore Academic and English language pathway programs. Congratulations to UOW College Australia for being the first NEAS Centre to be Quality Endorsed in the Transnational Delivery category.

Foundation Programs play a vital role in preparing students for success in higher education and beyond. Congratulations also to Aspire Institute and Macquarie University College for successfully completing a special pilot initiative in 2022 for the Quality Endorsement of their Foundation Programs.

There is no better way to differentiate yourself in a competitive market than by attaining the NEAS tick of Quality Assurance. Trusted by international education for over 30 years, NEAS supports your Centre in providing evidence-based proof of innovation and distinction. Speak to NEAS about Quality Endorsement of your Centre’sTransitional Delivery or Foundation Programs by contacting our Operations Manager, Daniel Yuen, on: d.yuen@neas.org.au.

02 February 2023

TAFE Queensland

Congratulations to TAFE Queensland English Language College – Southport Campus on completing a successful Quality Review activity! 

TAFE Southport returned to face-to-face delivery with the easing of the COVID-19 restrictions in March 2022 and has since been welcoming international students back on campus. The majority of students come from Japan, Korea, China, Thailand and South American countries. Most students in ELICOS programs are on pathways to VET courses within TAFE South Port.

The Centre is well maintained and provides well-equipped classrooms, spacious breakout areas on all levels, and a well-resourced library area with computers for student use. Feedback from students and staff is highly encouraged and the Centre has implemented an open-door policy and welcomes student and staff feedback at any time.

02 February 2023

La Lingua Language School

Congratulations to La Lingua Language School on completing a successful Quality Review activity with NEAS. 

La Lingua Language School relocated to its new premises on Level 6, 770 George Street in July 2022. The new campus benefits from a central location and is in close proximity to public transport and amenities. The Centre provides a warm atmosphere and friendly reception and places special attention on engaging ELICOS students in school excursions and celebrations to boost student confidence in using English in a relaxed environment.

La Lingua is currently providing classes in the morning and evening and is further enhancing the student experience by transitioning to a digital educational environment.

02 February 2023

Hills International Education (HIE)

NEAS congratulates Hills International Education (HIE) for completing a successful Quality Review activity!

Hills International Education is the ELICOS centre for international students at The Hills Grammar School, located in a bushland setting in the Hills district, 45 minutes north of the Sydney CBD. The HIE rooms are set within the layered campus, close to all amenities, including a well-stocked canteen. Set over 18 hectares in a natural bush setting, the HIE students have access to all facilities including fitness centres, a gym and performance spaces.

The centre delivers a High School Preparation course (Elementary to Upper-Intermediate) over 10 to 40 weeks. HIE’s students study 20 hours of English per week and are integrated into the mainstream for mathematics, PE and their “well-being” program. Students generally join the program in Years 7-9 allowing them to reach the required level for entry into the higher years at the school. 

Students in the focus group expressed their satisfaction with their courses and the welfare support the school provides as they settle into their studies and life in Australia. Students enjoyed the opportunity to be assigned a ‘buddy’ to support them on their first day at school 

Teachers at Hills International are highly qualified and experienced and are aware of their students’ needs in preparing them for future studies. The centre and the wider school have an effective strategic planning process that includes stakeholder focus groups, and the involvement of teachers, students, staff and parents. Staff at the HIE centre contribute with their knowledge of student care initiatives and the planning for international student enrolments.

02 February 2023

Virtual MoU Signing Ceremony between NEAS Australia and AUN

On 18 January 2023, Dr. Choltis Dhirathiti, ASEAN University Network (AUN) Executive Director and Dr. Patrick Pheasant, Chief Executive Officer of NEAS Australia (National ELT Accreditation Scheme Ltd.), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance towards effective enhancement of the process as well as the management of quality assurance (QA) of English Language Teaching (ELT).

The Signing Ceremony of the MoU between NEAS and AUN Secretariat took place through a virtual meeting. The MoU seeks to empower possible collaboration between NEAS and AUN as both parties will delve into QA activities and QA among ELT providers, as well as provide opportunities for the professional development of working staff to learn from one another and foster the exchange of best practices. The MoU is initially set to be in force for two years.

Currently, NEAS and AUN have initiated a potential project exclusively for the ASEAN University Network to explore and enhance the capabilities of English Language Teaching Units/Centers across the ASEAN region. This aims to ensure the active roles of university ELT Units/Centers that go beyond “English Teaching.” The initiatives cover more contemporary functions such as standardising English for research papers, English as a medium of instruction, English in the delivery of interdisciplinary courses, English pathways for international mobility programmes, etc. It will ultimately lead to the advancement of QA in English language learning. 

The MoU signing ceremony between NEAS and AUN was a momentous occasion as it marked the first official collaboration between AUN and Australia. This will signify the beginning of the growth of QA in English language learning and designate the direction to steer English language teaching communities forward.

02 February 2023

NEAS Professional Development Opportunity in February

Communities of Practice: Research in Quality Assurance

This COP is for ELT professionals who would like to learn more about research in ELT. This COP provides an overview of the benefits of engaging in research and provides participants with practical tasks to encourage and support engagement in research. Topics in this area include the continuum of research and the role of quality assurance. The NEAS Endorsed Master Practitioner badge is awarded to industry professionals who undertake an area of research of their own specialist interest.

When: Friday  10 February, 12:00 AEDT
Type: Webinar online
Registration: free

Register

Industry Webinar Series: People Cert

PeopleCert delivers exams in more than 200 countries, in 25 languages, through its state-of-the-art assessment technology. It enables professionals to reach their full potential and realise their life ambitions through certifications and learning.

When: Friday  23 February, 15:30 AEDT
Type: Webinar online
Registration: free

Register

The 2023 NEAS Professional Development schedule has been released – check it out here!

English Unlimited

English Unlimited (EU) and Australia Pacific College (APC) are owned by the same company, with Centres operating in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.  

As an extension of its reaction to the COVID 19 lockdowns in 2020, when the Centre was able to move quickly to online delivery, EU is now delivering Certificate IV in Communicate TESOL online. With the Learning Management System (LMS): MOODLE as the preferred platform for the delivery of this course, EU has created a comprehensive and interactive course.  

The review of the Certificate IV in Communicative TESOL, conducted against the quality principles in Area H: Online Delivery, showed the extensive mapping of course content to curriculum and assessment in alignment with assessment outcomes. Students enrol as part of national online classes, combining students and teaching staff from Australia-wide. Students expressed their delight that “the classes are good and rich in content online, so I really like taking them at home and getting to study with people from all over Australia”. 

02 February 2023

Griffith University

NEAS congratulates Griffith University, School of Humanities and Social Science on completing a successful Quality Review of its Master in TESOL Course and the Quality Endorsement of its Graduate Certificate in TESOL. 

NEAS was particularly impressed with the attention given to course development and the quality of delivery. With both domestic and international students enrolled in these courses, the school provides students with ease of access to information pertaining to course subject information. Individual course information sheets paired with teacher support offer students the support material to foster self-directed learning.

The provision of constructive feedback is embedded in these courses and aims at enhancing student-to-student engagement in their learning experience. This is fostered by providing avenues of peer-to-peer feedback. 

Student support is highly regarded by the university and is made available to both domestic and international students through multiple channels. Academic support programs are offered to students who are continuing to enhance their English Language proficiency, while Griffith’s international student services provides ongoing support to international students through a number of programs. These were increased to include additional services during covid regulations.

Students undertaking TESOL courses at Griffith University benefit from access to conference information and job advertisements via a Griffith University TESOL Community Teams Site.

02 February 2023

Union Institute of Language

Congratulations to Union Institute of Language (UIL) on completing a Quality Review activity with NEAS! 

Union Institute of Language (UIL) returned to on-campus learning in April 2022 after ceasing to have on-campus students in December 2020. In the interim, online courses had been offered, but with extended support and learning time. UIL has long-term partnerships with international colleges globally, and school and tertiary institutes within Australia. In addition, UIL has established an agreement with public and many independent schools in Queensland to prepare their students for mainstream primary and high school. Destination schools receive regular reports from UIL on their students, including welfare and homestay reports.

UIL fosters an environment of care and support and provides students with activities to build confidence in engaging with the community and encourages the use of English. These activities include cultural, art, environment, sport, and library familiarity activities. The UIL programs offered are reviewed annually and informed by students’ results, as well as by feedback from receiving schools and colleges. Flexibility within the curriculum allows specialist teachers to focus on the needs of the current student cohort. 

January 2023

Shafston International College

NEAS Congratulates Shafston International College in Brisbane on completing a successful Quality Review Activity with NEAS! 

Located on the banks of the Brisbane River, Shafston Brisbane campus offers large garden areas and striking river views. The original Shafston House building has been refurbished and equipment modernised. On its entrance floor, the main reception area leads to facilities for students to mingle, the enrolments section and the student services section. There are also excellent areas for orientation, assessment and study space with novels. Due to the large facilities, Shafston English was able to provide face-to-face classes during the pandemic. Currently, the school is welcoming students into General English classes, IELTS and CAE Preparation classes, High School Preparation (HSP) and Primary School Preparation (PSP) classes.  

Shafston fosters a supportive and nurturing environment for international students and provides counselling services on campus. The safety and wellbeing of students under 18 are highly regarded and supported by management.

January 2023