NEWS

News from Adam

Posted on | by Ed Itor

Welcome to the latest edition of our CEO’s column News From Adam.

It’s strategic planning time at NEAS. We’ve been looking ahead, making decisions about where we want to be. You’d appreciate that this process has me doing some research, reflecting and, well, thinking fairly deeply about NEAS. In addition to all the usual market statistics and scans of our environment, I’ve been looking at documents from the past: board papers, financials, considerations of ways forward from others, strategic plans of the past. It’s fascinating. And what have I synthesised from all of this? NEAS has had some great staff and leaders in its midst (really, it has a history of contribution!) but there is an essence to NEAS that is somehow greater than any individual board member, employee or CEO, for that matter. The dedication to quality runs throughout, of course, and so it should!  For me, though, NEAS has always been about its membership.
 
And now?
 
NEAS is a community of ELT providers (and others!) banded by quality. It still is an association of members. Our new strategic plan will put members first. We offer great value, and we’re going to continue increasing that value to a growing, diversifying membership. In building communities, NEAS aims to meet the needs of its sponsors and other partners too. We feed an ecosystem of collaboration and innovation for our sector, with various parties making different contributions. Let’s not forget the role we play for students and the broader community. We’re a community that gives or shares, and this too will be part of our new plan.

NEAS is a forward-looking, learning organisation and I’m filled with anticipation for our future.  The near future holds our upcoming conference on May 9 and 10. I’ll be talking to you then about NEAS, its past, its present and its future, so I’ll stop now to hold you in some suspense! And if you’re not interested in any of this navel gazing: no worries! There are some excellent speakers of insight and intelligence lined up.
We’re making arrangements to fit in some extra places, but you’ve really got to get in and register now. It’s filling up.

April 2024

Conference Countdown: 2 Weeks Left!

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ACADEMIC MANAGER WORKSHOP – SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT

Navigating Global Trends in ELT Management

IELTS has now published the full assessment scales used by examiners, having recently completed a review of its writing assessment criteria to ensure they remain transparent, fair, and fit for purpose.

As the only major test with publicly available, transparent marking criteria, the IELTS’ band descriptors outline the specific criteria that will be used to evaluate test takers’ work, and the performance levels associated with each criterion. This clarity and transparency helps test takers to understand what is expected of them and how they will be evaluated. Critical to this is enhancing IELTS preparation teachers’ engagement with the marking criteria.

This session provides academic managers with more information on the review and what has been updated, how band descriptors can inform curriculum design and how the band score descriptors now form the basis of a professional development course available to all teachers.

Explore the growth and impact of transnational delivery models in ELT management.

Discuss the advantages, challenges, and best practices associated with offering ELT programs across international borders.

Share your experience of navigating transnational delivery and your experience in ensuring quality and compliance.

Journey into the forefront of language testing and gain invaluable insights into the latest research, product developments, and innovations shaping language assessment. This session will dive into recent research findings as well as product enhancements in language testing. This presentation aims to equip academic managers with insights and knowledge needed to make informed decisions that meet the evolving needs of international students in Australia.

Join us to gain a deeper understanding of current findings and ensure your institution stays ahead in the dynamic world of international education.

Improving ELICOS curriculums by identifying academic issues experienced by students who have progressed from an ELICOS program into tertiary programs.

Effectively preparing ESL students for the challenges of higher education is a shared objective among educators today. This paper centres on the improvement of ELICOS curriculums by identifying and addressing academic challenges encountered by students who have transitioned from ELICOS programs to tertiary education.

The research seeks to improve ELICOS courses for a smoother transition and academic success for international students. The study employs a mixed-methods approach involving surveys, interviews and an analysis of academic performance data. This comprehensive methodology is employed to gain a deep understanding of the difficulties that ELICOS graduates face in tertiary education. The valuable insights from the findings have given significant input into rethinking, reshaping and redefining ELICOS courses. The research suggests customising ELICOS courses with academic skill-building and cultural training to help students better prepare for higher education.

April 2024

Congratulations to Latinoz Education!

Posted on | by Ed Itor

Congratulations to Latinoz Education for achieving NEAS endorsement in the Quality Education Agent category. Established in 2019, Latinoz Education is an Australian-registered education agency operating from Melbourne, specialising in recruiting international students primarily from Latin American countries like Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Argentina, and Peru for ELICOS and Vocational Education and Training courses. Providing comprehensive support services, including flight reservations, initial accommodation arrangements, and employment advice, Latinoz Education maintains a commitment to quality and professionalism through partnership agreements with NEAS members and memberships in key Australian organizations such as ISANA, VCCI, PIER (QEAC), ISEAA, and IEAA. 

NEAS assessed Latinoz Education’s application 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 employs a unique 360-degree stakeholder feedback model in its Quality Review processes, gathering structured feedback through telephone interviews with partner providers and students. During these interviews, the agency’s commitment to delivering professional, high-quality service to all stakeholders comes through. Providers highlighted the agency’s professionalism and reliability, noting a lack of complaints over its four-year tenure. Students praised the counsellors’ openness, knowledge, and realism, emphasising their assistance in navigating government policies and providing personalised support. The agency’s focus on compliance with legal requirements and continuous research was also commended by students. Overall, students expressed satisfaction with Latinoz Education, feeling well-supported and cared for in a professional yet friendly manner. This sentiment is echoed in the agency’s 4.8-star rating from 26 Google reviews and a perfect 5.0-star rating from 30 Facebook reviews. 

April 2024

Conference Countdown: 3 Weeks To Go!

Posted on | by Ed Itor

KEYNOTE SPEAKER UPDATE

Let us bring your attention back to our keynote speakers for a moment…

We are excited to share that Eddie Woo will be featuring in the 2024 NEAS Conference program!

Dedicated to nurturing young minds, Eddie’s impact extends far beyond the classroom. Whether you know him for his YouTube channel ‘Wootube’, TED Talks, or television appearances on ABC’s ‘Teenage Boss’ and Channel 10’s ‘Ultimate Classroom’, one thing should be clear: Eddie embodies the essence of transformative education.

He is the maths teacher we all wish we had when we were younger!

While he remains committed to classroom teaching, Eddie is also a Professor of Practice at the University of Sydney, working with preservice teachers in the Sydney School of Education & Social Work.

We look forward to be energised by Eddie’s keynote session and can’t wait for you to hear from him at the conference!

April 2024

Congratulations to the Australian Centre for Education (ACE) Cambodia!

Posted on | by Ed Itor

Congratulations to the Australian Centre for Education (ACE) Cambodia on the successful completion of the 2024 Quality Review – Self-Assessment, showcasing its commitment to delivering high-quality education in line with the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework. As a distinguished provider of English Language Teaching in Cambodia, ACE operates under the IDP Education brand.

The Centre’s dedication to continuous quality enhancement is evident through various initiatives, including the implementation of recommendations from the 2023 NEAS Quality Management Meeting. Notable efforts include the selection of contemporary textbooks by Program Academic Managers and Lead Teachers to enhance class engagement, as well as the development of new course documents and supplementary materials to enrich the learning experience.

ACE ensures students are well-informed about course objectives, expectations, and learning outcomes through comprehensive communication during initial lessons and on platforms like Google Classroom. Additionally, the Centre’s proactive approach to reviewing resources in the Guided Individual Learning Centre, Bookclub, and Language Learning Advising reflects its commitment to supporting students’ learning beyond traditional classroom settings.

ACE’s thorough self-reflection on current practices, particularly in targeted Quality Principles areas, underscores its dedication to continuous improvement and excellence in education.

April 2024

NEAS Supports MIT Institute Staff with Professional Development

Posted on | by Ed Itor

NEAS Australia recently collaborated with MIT Institute to deliver a focused professional development session aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of its teaching staff. Led by NEAS facilitator, Ms Peetra Lechte, the session emphasised assessment strategies, validation techniques, and moderation methodologies.

MIT Institute staff actively engaged in discussions and workshops, gaining practical insights and strategies to enhance their assessment practices. Emphasising the importance of continuous improvement, NEAS and MIT Institute welcomed participant feedback to tailor future sessions to educators’ evolving needs.

Reflecting on the professional development, one participant remarked, “Participating in the professional development from NEAS was constructive to my understanding of assessment and validation in the ELT classroom. It provided me with skills like identifying and analysing assessment tasks, and assessing the validity of examinations to course content. What I found the most useful from the professional development was the assessment moderation module. Breaking down the process of marking and participating in an assessment moderation gave me insight into collaborating with colleagues for examination marking.”

Another participant shared their perspective, stating, “The NEAS workshop was a good opportunity for our teachers to brainstorm and work together. We learnt about the importance of ensuring that learning outcomes are met from various learning tools. We then put this into practise and designed basic learning activities in groups. A very informative and useful workshop.”

This collaborative effort between NEAS Australia and MIT Institute highlights the significance of ongoing learning and collaboration in advancing English language education standards. Through such initiatives, educators are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the diverse needs of their students effectively.

April 2024

Congratulations to the Australian Institute of Language (AIL)!

Posted on | by Ed Itor

Congratulations to the Australian Institute of Language (AIL) on a successful quality review activity with NEAS.

Located in the vibrant heart of Melbourne CBD, AIL offers a prime location for international students, facilitating convenient access to language programs during both morning and evening shifts. Its proximity to public transportation, including tram, bus, and train services, ensures ease of travel for students. Students can also enjoy the convenience of nearby amenities like cafes, restaurants, and shops.

AIL enrols students from 25 countries and areas, mostly from Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Turkey and China. The college offers classes in General English, English for Academic Purposes (EAP), and IELTS preparation. AIL enhances students’ learning experiences through various in-class activities, organised excursions, after-class language-focused workshops, and study skills sessions. Workshops on adapting to life in Australia are also available to support students in adjusting to their new environment.

April 2024

Congratulations to RMIT English Worldwide (REW)!

Posted on | by Ed Itor

Congratulations to RMIT English Worldwide (REW) on the successful completion of its quality review activity with NEAS.

REW has maintained a steady pool of teachers through robust recruitment campaigns and collaborations with the RMIT CELTA program, attracting students from diverse countries, including Japan, China, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Taiwan, and Korea, who choose REW for their language education.

REW demonstrates a strong commitment to student welfare, exemplified by initiatives such as introducing a therapy dog named Ziggy and employing qualified counselors. Staff members receive training in student wellbeing to address various concerns, including depression, anxiety, and device addiction. Notably, REW’s student wellbeing efforts were recognized with the ISANA Conference Bursary Award for ‘Beside Myself,’ a student-devised theatre production.

REW prioritises staff development through structured processes like SWOT analysis, goal-setting exercises, and regular engagement and wellbeing surveys. Continuous learning opportunities are provided through a professional development committee and individual development plans for teachers.

April 2024

Conference Countdown: One Month Left!

Posted on | by Ed Itor

ACADEMIC MANAGER WORKSHOP – SPEAKER SPOTLIGHT

Technology and Digital Innovation in ELT

Leading and Supporting Staff Learning

This workshop highlights the important role Academic Managers play in supporting and fostering staff learning. We look at what ongoing and informal learning might look like in practice and why prioritising staff learning results in many positives for both staff and students.

During the workshop we will engage with what staff learning looks like, the challenges with fostering a culture of informal learning in the staffroom, and the benefits in establishing staff learning as a priority in your organisation.

AI and Adaptive Learning in ELT: Personalising Education at Scale

In this workshop session, explore how the Academic English Programs at UNSW College have managed the challenges of AI and its impacts on learning and assessment. Discover what insights have been gained since its implementation of an AI Framework.

Draw on shared experiences of managing the impacts of AI on teaching and assessment to build shared best practices through workable responses.

Assessment in the Digital Age: Innovative Approaches to Testing and Evaluation

Learn how recent AI advancements are instrumental in promoting equity within assessment practices, and how you can leverage the partnership between Humans and ChatGPT to enable the creation of assessment items at an unprecedented scale and affordable cost. Discover innovative strategies that combine AI technology with multiple asynchronous proctors to safeguard high-stakes assessments.

This presentation will unveil Duolingo’s latest research findings, subscore frameworks, and introduce new interactional item types designed for 2024.

March 2024

Master Practitioners in ELT

Posted on | by Ed Itor

Andrea Pugh, Director of Studies at Education Queensland International 

Congratulations to Andrea Pugh, Director of Studies at Education Queensland International for graduating from the Master Practitioner in ELT NEAS Capstone Course.  

Andrea’s project focused on bridging the gap between schools and international students’ families by finding innovative ways to connect with them. The project launched a community initiative to address the challenges faced by these families in navigating the education system, aiming to foster connections between parents, caregivers, and school staff. It provides practical strategies such as cultural sensitivity training for staff, multilingual support, and regular communication channels. The goal is to bridge language and cultural gaps while enhancing parental engagement and student outcomes. Committed to continuous improvement, Andrea endeavours to sustain this impactful initiative. 

Juliana Chia from James Cook University (JCU) in Singapore 

Congratulations to Juliana Chia from James Cook University (JCU) in Singapore for graduating from the Master Practitioner in ELT NEAS Capstone Course. 

Juliana’s Capstone Project was designed to enhance the teaching of Level Three English at JCU Singapore, enabling direct entry into degree programs. Over 12 weeks, the initiative provides a structured framework for student tasks, ensuring they remain on track and receive the necessary support for academic growth. Furthermore, the project underscores the importance of teacher readiness and class preparation, fostering a holistic approach to English language teaching. 

April 2024