English language support

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Language support services are available for children and students from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Pre-school age children

If you have young children not yet at school, you can access help in your language through your childcare centre or preschool. Talk to staff to learn about available support.

If your child goes to a government preschool, you can also call the Preschool Bilingual Program Team on 8226 2794.

School age students

Programs are available in government schools to support students learning English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EALD).

Your local school will talk to you about the best option for your child.

EALD program – mainstream curriculum

The EALD program provides support for students of non-English speaking backgrounds and their families to access the curriculum in mainstream primary and secondary education through:

language and literacy support
bilingual support
community support through community liaison officers
educational psychology support
interpreting and translating services.

Intensive English Language Program and New Arrivals Program

Who it’s for

The Intensive English Language program (IELP) is for primary school students.

The New Arrivals program (NAP) is for secondary school students.

IELP or NAP students:

have recently arrived in Australia (within the past year or 18 months for reception and year 1 students)
have minimal or no English
hold an eligible visa.

What is offered

IELP and NAP help students by providing:

intensive English language support from specialist teachers of EALD
a modified curriculum
a variety of activities within the school and local community, including excursions and social events
bilingual classroom support.

Students generally stay in the program for up to one year. Some students may need to stay longer.

Students 5 to 12 years old

IELP classes are offered in a range of mainstream primary schools. Classes are small and organised by age.

Assessment is continuous and families will be told when their child is ready to leave the program to join mainstream classes at the same school or their local school.

Students enrolled in a country school may have access to online IELP or EALD support services.

For more information, contact your nearest school or the EALD program on 8463 5584.

Locations and contacts

Primary school	Location	Phone and email
Blair Athol North Birth-6 School	Marmion Avenue Blair Athol SA 5084	8168 0700 dl.1903.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Clovelly Park Primary School	1 Renown Place Clovelly Park SA 5042	8276 5366 dl.0932.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Cowandilla Primary School	21 Jenkins Street Cowandilla SA 5033	8443 7800 dl.0106.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Darlington Primary School	9-11 White Crescent Seacombe Gardens SA 5047	8296 3318 dl.0666.info@schools.sa.edu.au
East Torrens Primary School	12 Robson Road Hectorville SA 5073	8337 1411 dl.0971.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Elizabeth Downs Primary School	Heard Street Elizabeth Downs SA 5113	8255 2726 dl.0947.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Elizabeth Vale Primary School	Rollison Road Elizabeth Vale SA 5112	8255 1307 dl.0949.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Gilles Street Primary School	91 Gilles Street Adelaide SA 5000	8223 5184 dl.0120.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Ingle Farm Primary School	2 Belalie Street Ingle Farm SA 5098	8262 4864 dl.1162.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Hampstead Primary School	Muller Road Greenacres SA 5086	8261 2248 dl.0689.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Highgate School	4 Hampstead Avenue Highgate SA 5063	8271 9622 dl.1063.Admin@schools.sa.edu.au
Karrendi Primary School	15 Bradman Road Parafield Gardens SA 5107	8258 3612 dl.1135.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Kilkenny Primary School	19 Jane Street West Croydon SA 5008	8345 4138 dl.0207.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Mount Gambier North Primary School	Heath Street Mount Gambier SA 5290	8725 2824 dl.0953.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Paradise Primary School	100 George Street Paradise SA 5075	8366 3155 dl.0973.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Para Hills West Primary School	21 Balkara Road Para Hills West SA 5096	8258 2216 dl.1045.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Pennington R-6 School	Butler Avenue Pennington SA 5013	8447 1933 dl.0337.info@schools.sa.edu.au
Seaton Park Primary School	80 Balcombe Avenue Seaton SA 5023	8356 2422 dl.0397.info@schools.sa.edu.au
The Pines School	42 Andrew Smith Drive Parafield Gardens SA 5107	8281 2199 dl.1777.info@schools.sa.edu.au

Students 12 to 17 years old

Adelaide

The Adelaide Secondary School of English is the only metropolitan government school catering to newly arrived students aged 12 and 17.

The school offers:

intensive English lessons across the curriculum
placement in classes based on English language ability, age and educational background
opportunities to learn about the local community and global citizenship
an introduction to the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) through the year 10 Personal Learning Plan
support to move to a mainstream government, independent or Catholic high school
information about and access to further training or courses
a wide range of support services through student wellbeing programs.

Country schools

Students enrolled in a country school may have access to EALD support services.

For more information, contact the EALD program on 8463 5584.

Students over 17 years

Thebarton Senior College offers a senior secondary intensive English language and literacy program for learners over 17 years who want to study full-time in an adult environment.

Students may receive credit towards the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE) when completing this program.

Brochures about IELP and NAP in different languages

Adult learners

Technical and Further Education (TAFE) SA students

TAFE SA offer English certificates for adults from non-English speaking backgrounds. Students can also learn about the Australian culture and community. Courses are flexible and offer a range of options for students who are new Australian residents.

International university students

South Australian universities offer a range of courses and support services to students from non-English speaking backgrounds: