Tag: Quality

Congratulations to TPL Education on achieving NEAS Endorsement in the Quality Education Agent category. An Australian-registered education and consultant agency, TPL Education began recruiting international students in 2021 and now has two offices in two countries (Melbourne, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand), recruiting students exclusively from Thailand. TPL Education has partnership agreements with 22 Australian education providers (some of which are NEAS Quality Endorsed Centres). TPL Education is a registered member of the Professional International Education Resources (PIER) platform. It is also a member of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA).

NEAS assessed TPL Education’s application using Quality Area J of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework, focussing on these important 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; 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 applies a 360-degree stakeholder feedback model in its review processes. Commendably, students interviewed as part of the review highlighted that TPL Education staff were professional, quick to respond and assisted them throughout the entire journey from enquiring about the course to induction into the environment of their target destination. The partner providers and students interviewed confirmed that TPL Education seeks regular feedback from them regarding their services. The interviewed students also mentioned the helpful support services that were offered to them by TPL Education.

May 2023

NEAS Congratulates the University of Queensland College (UQ College) on the endorsement of The International Diploma in Language Teaching Management IDLTM as an Online Product.

IDLTM is a seven-month postgraduate qualification designed for experienced ELT managers and prospective managers who are seeking practical management skills and relevant workplace understanding. This course is suitable for experienced professionals working in positions that include operational management responsibilities.

IDLTM was originally developed by the former Institute of Continuing and TESOL Education (ICTE) at the University of Queensland in collaboration with SIT Graduate Institute, USA and Cambridge English. Since its initial launch in 2001, various changes to the course have been instituted to ensure it remains current and able to meet the changing needs of academic managers over time.

In a recent response to the COVID-19 pandemic and following two major curriculum reviews, the course has developed through changes to material and training approaches and has been relaunched in a new entirely online format.

The new, online format incorporates recorded video input sessions for asynchronous viewing, coupled with live synchronous online sessions using, broadly, a flipped classroom approach in an innovative way to replace the previously face-to-face training room sessions. Initial feedback regarding this approach from participants in the first such group has been very positive. One student said ‘’ I’m getting enormous benefits from the IDLTM. It’s as engaging and varied in its interactions and modes of study as I’d hoped it would be, and it’s even more relevant and practical in relation to my work than I’d expected.”, another student commented: “what I’m learning is enlightening, applicable to my situation, and will continue to be useful as I progress in my career”.

February 2023

Congratulations to Macquarie University on achieving NEAS Endorsement for its English Medium Instruction (EMI) Course Suite, offered by the Macquarie University EMI Centre. The EMI Centre focuses on designing and delivering bespoke programs for higher education providers using English as the medium of instruction. As part of its customised services, the EMI Centre specialises in developing the English language proficiency of educators, as well as methodology and best practice for teaching in English.

NEAS reviewed the EMI Course Suite using Quality Area K of the NEAS Quality Assurance Framework, focussing the assessment on these key features of the target program: its underlying research; its fulfilment of purpose; its processes for maintaining quality; its uniqueness and innovation; and its contribution to the English Language Teaching (ELT) community. More information on Area K can be referenced here: https://neas.org.au/resources/neas-quality-framework/#area-k.  

The EMI Course Suite was commended for the extensive research undertaken, and the expertise of its staff. The comprehensive needs analysis of the varying markets in Asia Pacific and Latin America, and the flexibility in the development and delivery of bespoke programs to suit client needs, were noted highlights. An EMI Centre Advisory Board has been established to provide ongoing guidance to quality assure the EMI Course Suite, and best practice industry standards are used to validate decisions and design. The EMI Course Suite aims to assist educational institutions globally to address the gap between policy and practice in the delivery of courses in English and enhance the skills of professionals within the client institutions.

February 2023

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