NEWS

RMIT University Vietnam, established in 2000 and delivering its first program in 2001, is a branch of RMIT University, one of Australia’s largest and most prestigious institutions. The university provides a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, fostering innovation, critical thinking, and global perspectives. The School of English and University Pathways (SEUP) at RMIT Vietnam is well-established, offering programs such as English for University (EU), an IELTS Pathway Program, Corporate English classes, and English for Teens. These programs are available at different combinations across the campuses in Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, and Hanoi. 

We extend our congratulations to SEUP 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/. 

Over the past two years, key leadership roles at SEUP have changed, leading to carefully managed policy adjustments and ensuring smooth transitions for staff. Both survey results and focus group discussions have reflected positively on the organisation and its professional environment. Notably, the majority of Under 18 students are enrolled in the Teens Program, and SEUP is commended for employing an Under 18s specialist to oversee appropriate training, policies, and procedures in this area.  

Teachers are well-qualified, with the Work Visa requirements ensuring the placement of experienced professionals. Standardised rubrics are used for assessments, and end-of-term assessments undergo rigorous quality control, with items marked multiple times and spot checks conducted across campuses. Students in focus groups praised teachers for their caring attitudes, willingness to share information, and engaging teaching methods. The orientation program effectively informs students about university well-being services and support staff. Course outlines, provided and discussed during orientation each term, offer clear and detailed information on learning aims, assessments, and requirements. Students appreciated knowing what they would learn in advance, with topics for the following week introduced on the previous Friday to facilitate preparation. They also felt comfortable with the amount and type of feedback provided. 

June 2024

Crown Institute of Higher Education (CIHE) is a reputable educational institution situated in the North Sydney business district. It offers a variety of career-focused courses, including Diploma, Bachelor, and Master’s programs, as well as English language courses. 

In 2024, CIHE sought quality endorsement for its General English (GE) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses through a customised NEAS quality assurance activity. The GE course features a structured syllabus with clear objectives and assessments, tailored to diverse student needs, and incorporates practical activities and cultural excursions. The EAP course offers a pathway to higher education, with rigorous assessments aligned with international standards such as IELTS, CEFR, and the Pearson Scale of English. 

The NEAS Quality Assessor reviewed the courses using the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework. Structured letters confirmed the completion of the quality assurance exercise and also confirmed quality endorsement of the courses. Congratulations to CIHE for its commitment to independent quality assurance and for offering high-quality English language programs that support students in their academic studies, careers, and beyond. 

June 2024

INUS English is located in the vibrant centre of Melbourne’s CBD, offering a welcoming, supportive, and professional atmosphere. Classes are available on both morning and evening timetables. 

INUS English provides courses for international students in General English (Elementary to Advanced), English for Academic Purposes (EAP), IELTS Preparation, and Cambridge First Certificate English (FCE) Preparation. 

With a robust marketing team and a wide international reach through Board of Directors members overseas, as well as close links with agents, INUS English continues to recruit students both off- and on-shore. Most students come to INUS English through agents. The current student cohort is diverse, with students from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Italy, Spain, Korea, Turkey, China, Thailand, and Mongolia. 

INUS English fosters a culture of friendliness, collaboration, and support. Transparent communication channels ensure that all staff, students, and teachers engage comfortably with each other and management. The sense of community among students and teachers is enhanced by excursions, and student wellbeing is maintained with the provision of a Student Support Officer. One student commented, “They care. One classmate was not in the appropriate class, so the staff helped him, showing they care for him.” 

Students are pleased with the course design and the quality outcomes it provides. One student reported, “This course helps me speak more fluently and gives me support in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.” Another student praised their teacher, saying, “Our teacher gives us additional material from YouTube and websites, is very prepared, very friendly, very kind, and gives us advice on how to study English.” 

June 2024

Queen Anne English College is located in a commercial area in Bankstown, NSW, providing convenient access to food outlets and parking. The college offers English language programs designed to help students improve their skills. Recognised for its commitment to quality education, the college provides a supportive learning environment for students of all levels. 

Courses currently on offer include English for General Purposes, IELTS Preparation 1 & 2, and English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Level 1 & 2. Teachers at the college are passionate about learning and committed to their own professional development, with some continuing their higher education studies. Students praised their teachers for being caring and considerate and for making the courses engaging and enjoyable. They expressed satisfaction with the curriculum and the independent learning materials provided. Progression through levels is managed through continuous testing, with formative and summative assessments covering all four skills delivered to students regularly. 

June 2024

Congratulations to Smart Education Link for achieving NEAS endorsement in the Quality Education Agent category! Smart Education Link, an Australian-registered education agency, has been recruiting international students from its Sydney office since 2012. The agency focuses on recruiting students from Indonesia; it also services students from Southeast Asia (Thailand and the Philippines) and Northeast Asia (Japan and South Korea). Most students enrol in vocational education training courses. Smart Education Link offers a range of support services, including document translation by NAATI accredited or sworn translators, complimentary Australian SIM cards pre-arrival, and airport transfer services upon request. The agency has partnership agreements with NEAS members and is a member of the International Student Education Agents Association (ISEAA). 

NEAS assessed Smart Education Link’s application using Area J of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework, focusing 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 employs a unique 360-degree stakeholder feedback model in its Quality Review processes, gathering structured feedback through telephone interviews with partner providers and students. This direct feedback consistently highlighted the agency’s high-quality results, with all providers reporting no issues with visa refusals and praising the high quality of Smart Education Link students. Student interviews emphasised the agency’s exceptional care and professionalism, particularly noting how staff attentively listened to their needs. Providers also commended the agency’s professionalism and quality over the years, reinforcing the positive feedback. A recurring theme from the stakeholder interviews was the agency’s strong focus on compliance with legal requirements and related processes. Students appreciated the detailed information and support provided by the agency, with comments like, “She gave me a lot of information on what I have to and don’t have to do because [I] didn’t know about the student visa process in Australia and she answered all my questions…which is what I really like and appreciate.” Providers echoed this sentiment, highlighting the agency’s understanding of industry regulations and their commitment to educating students on these matters. 

June 2024

NEAS congratulates The Rockhampton English Language Academy (RELA) of The Rockhampton Grammar School (RGS) on becoming the latest Quality Endorsed Member! RGS is a well-established boarding and day school dating back to its establishment in 1881. It has a strong connection and reputation with the Central Queensland region, a robust alumni network, a dedicated Board of Trustees, and a reputation for quality educational outcomes and duty of care. RGS is a member of the Independent Schools Association and complies with Education Queensland standards and regulations. The School has a keen interest in developing international connections through its English for High School course and RELA. RGS caters to international students at the primary, junior, and senior levels. 

The centre lodged a comprehensive application for NEAS quality endorsement, and Pending status was conferred by the NEAS Endorsement Committee during the border closure. NEAS Quality Endorsement is granted and maintained through a distinctive 360-degree stakeholder-driven feedback model, which is informed by input from students, teachers and professional staff. With the disruptions to international travel arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated impact on student mobility and teacher employment, the Centre’s application had successfully undergone NEAS assessment, while its designation as an Endorsed Centre was pending a concluding Quality Endorsement Meeting involving the participation of students on campus. Upon the reopening of Australia’s international borders and the return of international enrolments, RELA coordinated with NEAS to conduct an in-person Quality Endorsement Meeting in May 2024. 

Students in the focus group expressed satisfaction with the quality of teaching and the individual attention they received from their teachers. RGS staff visit market countries to run focus groups with parents and agents, ensuring that the application and enrolment process is easy and clear. Teachers in the focus group reported that classroom and teaching resources are of a very high standard. Staff in focus groups also commented that induction and performance development are thorough and ongoing. Learning outcomes of the English for High School course are based on the Pearson Global Scale of English (GSE) and aligned with Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) ‘can do’ statements, with particular emphasis on the skills needed for mainstream programs, especially in science and math. Most international students live on campus and a comprehensive boarding program is offered. New students are teamed up with a different buddy each term. 

June 2024

Sarina Russo Institute (SRI) is renowned for its commitment to providing high-quality vocational and academic education. With an emphasis on equipping students with practical skills and knowledge, SRI delivers programs tailored to meet industry demands. One of its key offerings includes English language courses, which are designed to align with international standards such as the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and the Global Scale of English (GSE). These courses aim to enhance students’ language proficiency, ensuring they are well-prepared for further education and career opportunities. 

In 2021, SRI’s online Bridging English Entry Program (BEEP) was awarded NEAS quality endorsement. Since this endorsement, SRI has striven to align its lower-level courses to the same standards of online delivery so that these courses can be run either face-to-face, online, or in a hybrid/blended mode. Although currently operating in face-to-face mode, Unipath 2 can be run as a fully remote online course via the Blackboard LMS and Collaborate Tool. 

Online delivery is reviewed against 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 Unipath 2 and BEEP courses, each spanning ten weeks, enable students to progress to James Cook University Brisbane (JCUB) undergraduate and postgraduate courses respectively at direct entry level. SRI aims to acculturate students to the academic skills required for JCUB undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. By focusing on key Blackboard tools, SRI provides students with the online operability needed for success in subsequent pathway courses. The Unipath 2 course demonstrates a high degree of accessibility in terms of format, layout, font choice, and font size. The course pages feature good visual design and effective use of images, with a wide range of learning and consolidation activities for learners to choose from. Students commented favourably on the materials, content, and accessibility, and both students and staff rated the instructional language highly. SRI has ensured that instructional and content language falls within the word frequency ranges appropriate for current students’ levels. 

June 2024