Tag: NEAS conference

Speaker Spotlight: Building Supportive Communities for Homestay Students and EAL/D Learners

Posted on | by Silvia Loss

At the 2025 NEAS Conference, we will discover how building strong networks can improve homestay experiences and provide greater support for EAL/D students in mainstream education.

School Accommodation: Rethinking Homestay

This panel discussion will feature voices from every corner of the homestay community. Hear real stories and practical ideas on how collaboration across ELT can really enhance the international student experience.

Our experts will discuss managing risks, ensuring student safety, and finding creative ways to improve homestay programs. Come away with practical insights and new perspectives that can help you build stronger support networks and create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every student feels at home, both in the classroom and out.

David Ferguson, Director of International and Accommodation Operations, John Paul College

David Ferguson has been working in the International Education and Training (IET) industry since 2007, beginning his career as an English as a Second Language teacher. With a wealth of experience both abroad and in Australia, David leads John Paul College’s international operations and John Paul International College. Read more…

Professional Learning Teams – Creating a Supportive Community with ELT and Mainstream Teachers of EAL/D Students

In this session, discover how inclusive teaching transforms classrooms into communities where students from diverse language backgrounds can truly thrive. By blending ELT methodologies with everyday teaching practices, educators can create supportive spaces where every EAL/D student feels valued and ready for success.

You’ll come away with practical tips and strategies to boost language development, build confidence, and drive academic achievement, all while nurturing a community where every student feels at home.

Megan Huber, Assistant Head of Faculty Diverse Learning (EAL/D)/Subject Coordinator English for EAL Learners, St Laurence’s College

Megan Huber is the current Assistant Head of Faculty for Diverse Learning specialising in EAL/D Case Management and the Subject Coordinator for English for EAL Learners at St Laurence’s College in South Brisbane. She is also the current Chief Confirmer and Subject Matter Expert for English for EAL Learners for the Queensland Curriculum Assessment Authority as well as a Lead Trainer Marker for the External English Exams. Read more…

Register here

Spotlight on the 2025 NEAS Conference Panels

Posted on | by Ed Itor

The 2025 NEAS Conference will include panel discussions that bring together government regulators, and international student leaders, to share their knowledge on the changing education industry. These sessions will explore key challenges and opportunities in the sector, giving attendees a chance to hear directly from those who shape and experience it firsthand.

Government Voices Panel

In this facilitated discussion between a sample of our members and our guests from government, we will take a close look at the challenges facing the sector. Representatives from ASQA and the Tuition Protection Service (TPS) are confirmed to join us, with TEQSA participation pending confirmation. We all know that NEAS membership enhances and complements regulated compliance by embedding continuous improvement. This session will explore how we can best define and maintain quality in an environment of uncertainty and change.

Carmen Basilicata, Executive Director, Integrity Branch, ASQA

Responsible for ASQA’s Integrity Unit, Carmen overseas ASQA’s intelligence, investigations and enforcements operations to prevent and detect threats to the integrity of VET, and to deter and disrupt illegal behaviour and the exploitation of vulnerable students. Carmen is also responsible for entry to the market, ASQA’s primary function to prevent threats and safeguard the integrity of VET, as well as ASQA’s Industry, State and Territory engagement and Course Accreditation functions. Read more…

The Tuition Protection Service Director is a statutory position created under the Commonwealth legislation. Melinda is responsible for the delivery and maintenance of the long-term sustainability of the Tuition Protection Service.

Melinda has held several senior roles in the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, with extensive knowledge in operational policy and program management in employment services. Read more…

Melinda Hatton, Director, TPS

International Student Voices Panel

In this panel we will hear the journey of two international students from arrival to belonging, highlighting the challenges they face and the contributions they make to the community.

Ogunbodede Olaitan MD, Medical Practitioner, NSW Health

Olaitan Temitope Ogunbodede is a medical practitioner with NSW health and holds a doctoral degree in Immunology from the University of Sydney.

He arrived in Australia about half a decade ago as an international student from Nigeria on a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade international Scholarships. Read more…

William Nguyen is a student leader, speaker and passionate advocate for international students, dedicated to fostering belonging and building inclusive communities. Arriving in Australia at 15 with no English, he understands the challenges of navigating a new country.

Now a third-year Education/Media Arts student at UNSW, he has spoken to over 7,000 people at universities and conferences, serving as an MC and guest speaker. Read more…

William Nguyen, NSW International Student Ambassador, Study NSW

Register here

Join the conversation

Excited about the 2025 NEAS Conference? So are we!

Be part of the journey by:

  • Following us on LinkedIn and Facebook for updates and sneak peeks
  • Spreading the word with #NEAS2025 #PathwaysToBelonging, and sharing our social media banners
  • Visiting neas.org.au/conference-25 for more information

See you at NEAS 2025!

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THE 2023 NEAS MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE IS ONLY 11 WEEKS AWAY!

Posted on | by Ed Itor

The countdown has started!

With a furore of activity we are well under way to welcoming you all at this year’s Management Conference. The theme of the conference has taken hold and is becoming the talk of the town as we grapple with the idea of The Profession, The Professional and Professionalism in ELT.

Nowadays, with increased scrutiny into quality standards in ELT, high professional standards are burgeoning and the number of ELT teachers up-skilling and completing Master level degrees in ELT is trending upwards at a rapid rate. ELT “requires a specialized knowledge obtained through both academic study and practical experience” (Torres – Rocha, 2019).

It is generally acceptable to say that ELT teachers and leaders are professionals because they are a “disciplined group of individuals who adhere to high ethical standards and uphold themselves to, and are accepted by, the public as possessing special knowledge and skills in a widely recognised, organised body of learning derived from education and training at a high level, and who are prepared to exercise this knowledge and these skills in the interests of others.”(cited in Professional Standards Council, 2022)

This year’s conference is set to explore the different professional landscapes in ELT locally and globally and the impact they are having on world economy, education, and future generations.

As usual, we are pleased to be able to offer a hybrid event! With three full days of in-person activities, attendees will also be able to live-stream content, so if you can’t make it in person, you can always join us online. You can download 60+ presentations, join our virtual community events and live-stream speaker sessions.

If you are coming in person, then don’t forget to purchase your Gala Dinner tickets here, so that you can enjoy the entertainment, gourmet menu as well as the Awards Ceremony.

Speaker Spotlight

Cara Dinneen

Cara Dinneen is the Associate Director, Learning and Teaching at Macquarie University College. Cara holds a Master of TESOL, Graduate Certificate in Business Educational Leadership, Trinity Diploma of TESOL, BA Communications and is currently completing a qualification in Digital Learning Leadership. Cara has 20 years’ experience in English language teaching, teacher training and leadership, having taught and managed programs in Australia, Oman and Spain. She is a fluent Spanish speaker. 

Throughout her career, Cara has designed and managed teacher development programs for large, multi-cultural teaching departments of up to 65 staff. Cara has a strong background in teaching methodology and a creative, participant-focused approach to lesson design and teacher development. 

Cara also has a keen interest in learning and assessment design. She is currently the Head Convenor for the English Australia Assessment Special Interest Group, and her current area of research is digital learning and assessment.

Yulia Kharchenk

Yulia Kharchenko is an English language teacher and a higher degree researcher. She has taught in Russia, Ireland and Australia in a variety of tertiary, adult and migrant education settings. She currently teaches on the Graduate Certificate of TESOL at Macquarie University. Her research interests include multilingual pedagogy, language policies in education and language learner identity.