Intensive English Language Program

The Intensive English Language Program (IELP) at Blair Athol North B-6 provides intensive English language support for students from 5 to 12 years of age with specialist teachers of English as an additional language or dialect. Students with a language and cultural background other than English and who have limited or minimal English language are eligible to enrol if they meet the following criteria:

Newly-arrived students with an approved permanent or temporary visa sub-class, and who require intensive English language instruction are eligible to enrol at an Intensive English Language Centre (IELC):

  • children who turned 4 on or before May 1 can enrol in a pre-school soon after arrival in SA
  • within 18 months of arrival for students in Reception and Year 1
  • within 12 months of arrival for students in Years 2-6

Australian citizens or children of Australian citizens (visa sub-class N/A) are eligible if English is not their first language and they meet the criteria above.

Visa and Passport details are required at the time of enrolment because some categories of temporary visa holders are not eligible for the program.

Transport assistance is provided for some primary aged IELC students who:

  • have an eligible visa sub-class
  • are under 10 years old and live more than 1.75 kilometres from the nearest IELC.

Students generally stay in the IELP for up to 1 year, or longer if needed. Interpreters, Bilingual School Services Officers (BSSOs) and Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) are also available to support families and students.

Classes are small and organised by age. Students are taught the Primary School subjects while focusing on learning English. Students are helped to integrate into mainstream classes. When students exit the IELP, a Transition Program is organised so students can successfully continue their education in their chosen mainstream school.