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NELI Intervention

The Nuffield Early Language Intervention is an intervention for children aged 4-5 years which has been proven to improve children’s early language skills.

Intervention Structure

Once schools have assessed their reception cohort, the 20-week intervention involves a trained teaching assistant providing short, small-group and individual targeted sessions to around 3-6 pupils. A teacher manual and resource pack is included to guide Teaching Assistants step-by-step through the sessions.

NELI intervention

Evidence and Development

Independent evaluations found NELI children made on average 3-5 months of additional progress in language as a result of the programme. Behaviour of children undergoing NELI was also seen to improve substantially. More recent evidence shows that the lasting effects of NELI on language and reading have been seen 2 years on in children, a very remarkable result.

Days of the week

NELI in Action!

Over 11,000 schools across the UK use the NELI Programme to assess, diagnose and support their early language learners. Find out more about the impact this programme is having and hear directly from those delivering the intervention.

NELI training

What’s in the Box?

NELI includes a comprehensive pack of physical resources, including teacher handbooks, colourful printed flashcards and badges, and the Ted puppet, to support with delivering the programme to pupils.

NELI bear puppet and flashcard resources

NELI Programme Timeline

The NELI programme follows a structured timeline to help you fit it within the school year. Starting with the assessment of reception pupils and training of staff at the beginning of the school year, through to delivery of the NELI programme and reassessment of children at the end of the school year, this timeline will help you plan ahead.

NELI Timeline

NELI Whole Class

NELI Whole Class is a brand-new companion to the Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI). The programme complements and enhances NELI to support you in delivering oral language enrichment to all the children in your class as well as further boost the skills of the children who are receiving intervention. It has been developed to be used alongside NELI, delivered by a teacher to the whole class.

NELI Whole Class

NELI Preschool

NELI Preschool is a new, evidence-based language enrichment intervention delivered by teachers, TAs and nursery practitioners for children the year before they enter formal education. Developed by the same team that brought you NELI.

NELI Preschool