Enrolment
Intensive English Unit (IEU)
Supporting Language, Learning and Belonging.
Welcome to the Intensive English Unit
Starting school in a new country can be both exciting and challenging. At Sanderson High School, our Intensive English Unit (IEU) provides newly arrived students with the English language skills, confidence and support they need to successfully transition into mainstream secondary education.
Our caring teachers create a welcoming environment where students develop English while building friendships, learning about Australian culture and becoming confident members of our school community.
We believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their English language background.
ABOUT OUR PROGRAM
What is the Intensive English Unit?
The Intensive English Unit is designed for students whose first language is not English and who are new to studying in Australia.
Students receive intensive English language instruction while also developing the knowledge and skills needed for success across all learning areas.
Our IEU Classes
The IEU is a mixed year-level program for students in Years 7-10. Students are grouped according to their English language proficiency.
IEU 1
Beginner and Level 1 students
IEU 2
Level 2 and Level 3 students
Each classroom is staffed by one teacher and one Home Language Officer (HLO) who works alongside the teacher to provide additional language support.
Learning in the IEU
Students learn English through meaningful, real-life contexts and follow the Australian Curriculum, with learning across all key areas:
English Language
Mathematics
Science
Humanities
Health &
Physical Education
Digital Technologies
Australian Culture & School Life
Students learn about Australian schools, local community, Indigenous cultures, respectful relationships, safety and wellbeing.
Who can attend?
Students may be eligible if they are:
- Newly arrived in Australia
- International students
- Migrant students
- Refugee or humanitarian entrants
- Students requiring intensive English support before entering mainstream classes
Placement is determined through English Language assessment and consultation with families.
English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D)
Students in the IEU follow the Australian Curriculum while receiving specialist English language support.
Teachers explicitly teach the vocabulary, grammar, sentence structures and academic language needed to access the curriculum.
EAL/D Learning Progression
Students’ English language development is monitored using the national EAL/D Learning Progression. Students develop through four phases:
Beginning
Emerging
Developing
Consolidating
Students may be at different phases for listening, speaking, reading and writing. This is completely normal. Teachers regularly monitor progress and adjust learning accordingly.
Assessment & Reporting
Students are assessed in a variety of ways, including:
- classroom observations
- conversations
- presentations
- projects
- practical tasks
- reading activities
- writing samples
- tests (where appropriate)
Assessment recognises both English language development and curriculum understanding. Teachers may modify assessment tasks so students can demonstrate what they know while continuing to develop English.
Reporting
Families receive school reports each semester which may include achievement in learning areas, comments from teachers, progress in English language learning and next learning goals. English language development is considered when reporting achievement.
How Students Progress
Each student progresses at their own pace. When students demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency, they gradually transition into mainstream classes.
Transition may include:
- selected mainstream subjects
- increased participation with year-level peers
- ongoing EAL/D support
- full mainstream involvement
How long can students access the IEU?
Students may access the IEU program for:
- Up to 18 months when continuing from a Primary School IEU
- Up to 24 months when commencing the IEU program in secondary school
Transition into mainstream classes is based on each student’s English language proficiency and individual learning needs and may occur at any stage during this period.