Armidale IEC

The Armidale Intensive English Centre (IEC) is situated on the grounds of Armidale Secondary College. It provides intensive English language instruction, orientation, welfare and settlement support to newly arrived high school aged migrant, refugee and international students between the ages of 11-18. 

Intensive English tuition is provided through the Intensive English Program Curriculum Framework (IEPCF) as well as the key subject learning areas, including mathematics, science, HSIE, computer studies, PDHPE and sport. The main focus is the development of specific language skills and vocabulary to enable students to access the high school curriculum leading to academic success. 

Regular students have generally experienced continuous schooling prior to migration, or studied English in their country of origin. The maximum number of students in a regular class is 18, and most will transfer to high school after 20 weeks at the IEC. 

Special needs students are those who have experienced significant disadvantage in their initial learning of English and literacy due to factors such as disrupted previous education, physical disability, learning difficulty or trauma resulting from war or displacement. The maximum number of students in these classes is ten, with most remaining in our specialised learning environment for approximately 30-40 weeks. 

Students are taught how to succeed in the Australian education system, as it can often differ greatly from any previous learning experiences. Students’ emotional needs, including building a sense of belonging, acceptance, safety, trust, and responsibility are catered for by our highly trained school counsellors and administration manager.  Bilingual SLSO’ support student learning and communication within and outside the classroom on a daily basis. 

Excursions take place once a term for most students and are also an essential component of the IEC’s social, educational and emotional support program. The IEC recognises that parent involvement is crucial to student success and parents are encouraged to participate in their child’s learning.

The vast majority of IEC students transition to Armidale Secondary College. Older students may transition to TAFE courses, such as the AMEP program or into employment within the community. 

Sarah Mills

Head Teacher, Armidale IEC