Course Category: 2024 NEAS Management Conference - Day 1

Session 2 – Professional Development and Teacher Empowerment

Room B

Cultivating Continuous Improvement in ELICOS

Download the Presentation (PDF)

Summary
In an environment of rapid growth and constant evolution, the responsiveness of educational institutions in the Australian ELT sector may be challenged. This presentation explores the transformative journey of an ELICOS school in Sydney, as it strategically nurtures a culture of continuous improvement. Our approach to cultivating ongoing enhancement and innovation includes collaborative professional learning, reworked means of communication, and the implementation of data-driven decision-making.

The integration of innovations such as adapted NPS benchmarking for teacher feedback, in combination with qualitative and quantitative instruction metrics and efficient student feedback instruments have contributed to the school’s responsiveness to students’ needs and expectations. As a result, the decisions made have been student-led, prioritising the sentiments of our school community, and elevating educational practices that enhance the learning experience at La Lingua.

Presenter: Diego Torres

Bio
Diego Torres is a language education specialist with experience in TESOL, team management, and eLearning. He currently serves as the Director of Studies at La Lingua Language School in Sydney.

Diego is passionate about providing personalised and meaningful learning experiences for ESL students. With a focus on individual needs and interests, he designs engaging and interactive course materials that foster a love of learning and drive student success. Whether it is through the use of cutting-edge technology or proven ESL teaching methods, Diego strives to create an environment that encourages critical thinking, collaboration and creativity. He is dedicated to helping his students achieve their full potential and reach their educational goals.

Session 2 – Professional Development and Teacher Empowerment

Room A

Managing Multi-Site Organisations: Strategies That Actually Work

Download the Presentation (PDF)

Summary
With the growing number of ELICOS institutions expanding across the country, managing multi-campus organisations has become more common. Academic managers can face various issues while trying to build effective teams and to ensure quality delivery across all campuses.

This interactive workshop will focus on suggesting some practical strategies implemented in my current workplace to achieve effective operations of four Albright campuses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide. Participants will also have an opportunity to share their experiences and discuss ways that worked successfully in their organisations.

Presenter: Tatyana Ermolaeva

Bio
Tatyana Ermolaeva is the Head of ELICOS at Albright Institute of Business and Language. Tatyana has been working in the education sector since 2006 and has held various positions starting from an ELICOS teacher to a Director of Studies. Now Tatyana is leading four campuses across the country. She enjoys building strong cohesive teams and promotes equal opportunities for teachers’ professional development and career growth.

Tatyana will be speaking about managing multi-campus organisations. With the growing number of ELICOS institutions expanding across the country, managing multi-campus organisations become more common. Academic managers can face various issues while trying to build effective teams and to ensure quality delivery across all campuses.

This interactive workshop will focus on suggesting some practical strategies implemented in my current workplace to achieve effective operations of four Albright campuses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide. Participants will also have an opportunity to share their experiences and discuss ways that worked successfully in their organisations.

Session 1 – Leadership and Change Management in ELT

Room D

NESTs and NNESTs: Debunking the myths to rethink, reshape and redefine excellence in ELT

Download the Presentation (PDF)

Summary
In 2023, out of the 1.5 billion English speakers worldwide, the majority are English as an additional language (EAL) speakers, surpassing the 380 million native English speakers. Consequently, there has been a significant rise in the number of English language teachers who speak English as an additional language (international educators), outnumbering those who speak English as a first language. Yet, in the TESOL profession, international educators may still find it challenging to have their skills, knowledge and professional experience recognised by key stakeholders – students, fellow teachers, and providers.

This session aims to address common perceptions surrounding the debate between native English-speaking teachers (NEST) and non-native English-speaking teachers (NNEST). It will present a diverse range of studies that challenge these perceptions, showcasing the strengths, value, and contributions of international educators to their students’ learning experiences. The session seeks to provide TESOL leaders with strategies to reconsider and reshape perceptions of international educators, ultimately redefining excellence in English Language Teaching (ELT) to better align with the diverse linguistic landscape of the modern world.

Presenter: Dr Germana Eckert

Bio
Germana Eckert is a specialist in language teaching methodology and lectures in the TESOL and Applied Linguistics program at the University of Technology, Sydney. She has worked in Australia and overseas as a TESOL teacher, curriculum writer, manager and teacher-trainer. Germana’s research interests are in language practices in educational settings.

Presenter: Dr Julie Lim

Bio
Julie Lim is lecturer in the TESOL and Applied Linguistics program at the University of Technology, Sydney. She has taught English on degree and pathway programs in both EFL and ESL settings, in addition to working in English language testing and administration. She currently teaches subjects relating to Academic English and multilingualism.

Session 1 – Leadership and Change Management in ELT

Room C

Building a Quality Culture: Leadership’s Role in Institutional Transformation

Download the Presentation (PDF)

Summary
In this workshop, Jo Kwai will share how leadership at JPIC drives institutional transformation through fostering a culture of quality.

She will share strategies, challenges, and how to succeed in sustaining a quality-centric culture during times of change.

Presenter: Jo Kwai

Bio
With over 25 years combined experience across the schools, ELICOS, and RTOs, Jo is a very experienced Academic Manager, Teacher trainer, PD Champion and classroom teacher. Jo is a member of the ASQA SLG (Stakeholder Liaison Group) and also on the EA QLD PD committee member.

Jo has mentored many new teachers and is also an experienced curriculum writer, submitting new courses for accreditation.

Jo’s passion is everything education, and is very people-focused in all aspects of her job. There are never enough hours in the day and nothing is insurmountable – Jo likes to problem-solve and the ‘can-do’ attitude with like-minded teams shows a lot can be achieved with the right-attitude.

Jo is currently the Deputy Director International, Academic Manager, at John Paul International College, Daisy Hill, QLD.

Session 1 – Leadership and Change Management in ELT

Room B

Building Resilient ELT Institutions

Download the Presentation – Andrea Pugh (PDF)

Download the Presentation – Jason West (PDF)

Summary
Delve into the concept of organisational resilience and its importance in ELT institutions. Discuss strategies for building resilience at the institutional level and within teams.

Andrea Pugh

Bio
Andrea holds a MA in Applied Linguistics and degree in Education. She has been teaching in Education Queensland for nearly 30 years. Her experience in the world of online teaching and learning is growing as she explores new ways to engage students and make the most of IT tools and skills.

She is currently enjoying the opportunity to develop a virtual community that embraces creativity, fun and connection. Andrea is passionate about ELT and takes pride in seeing her students gain confidence in both their digital and English language skills.

Jason West

Bio
Jason West is an accomplished leader in English language teaching and TESOL/EALD, both as a teacher and leader, with more than 15 years of experience. Jason has led Academic English programs in both a local Australian context, and in a transnational context at a joint venture school in China. Jason supports the ELICOS sector through his involvement with a number of communities of practice/industry events, and has presented at a number of international and local conferences.

In his role as Director of Studies at UTS College, Jason manages a teaching team dedicated to supporting the language needs of international students, mostly from SE Asia and the Indian subcontinent, who are heading to UTS to pursue their career and life ambitions. This includes leading and managing the delivery of the college developed Academic English curriculum via the Canvas LMS, for both face to face, and live online teaching modes.

Aligned to the UTS 2027 vision, in addition to leading the Sydney based college team, Jason supports Academic Managers across the transnational partner network, based in China (EIC, SILC), (South) Korea (IEN), Vietnam (ACET), Myanmar (AEC) and the UTS College Sri Lanka who all deliver the UTS College’s English curriculum. Jason will share his insights on how to drive high quality outcomes and standardisation of delivery regardless of location.

Session 1 – Leadership and Change Management in ELT

Room A

Change Management: Leading Transformation of Teacher Observations

Download the Presentation (PDF)

Summary
Traditional evaluative observations often fall short in driving meaningful change, focusing on isolated lessons rather than overall teacher development, resulting in the feeling that observations are a box-ticking exercise for both teachers and managers. This presentation explores change management strategies for leading transformation of the teacher observation program in the School of English and University Pathways, RMIT Vietnam. It addresses the need for change in formal observations and introduces a new observation program designed to be a springboard for teacher-led professional development, combining evaluative observations with a suite of developmental options, fostering a holistic approach to teacher growth.

This presentation will present insights into leading educational transformation in the context of teacher observations. Key stages of the change management strategy are explored, including effective communication, comprehensive training, early teacher involvement, and phased implementation. The importance of stakeholder engagement is discussed, with input from teachers, managers, and students shaping the program’s development. Challenges faced during the implementation phase are addressed, along with successful strategies employed to overcome them.

Reflecting on lessons learned, the session identifies successful aspects and areas for improvement in future change management initiatives, and outlines future directions for the observation program.

Presenter: May Barbree

Bio
May Barbree is the Academic Manager, Learning & Teaching in the School of English & University Pathways, RMIT University Vietnam. She has a degree in Education and is Cambridge DELTA qualified. In the ELT industry for over 10 years, she has worked in teaching and management in universities in four countries and as a Teacher Trainer for several language teaching organisations.

This session is entitled Leading Educational Transformation and will focus on the Role of Visionary Leadership in Educational Transformation, Strategies for Communicating and a Compelling Vision for Change.

Presenter: June Lee

Bio
June Lee is the Academic English Manager, English for University in the School of English & University Pathways, RMIT University Vietnam. She holds a Master of Education TESOL and a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, with 16 years of experience in English Language Teaching and 8 years in management. In addition to her academic management role, she is currently project managing the Observation Program Review Project.

This session is entitled Leading Educational Transformation and will focus on the Role of Visionary Leadership in Educational Transformation, Strategies for Communicating and a Compelling Vision for Change.