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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
