The Bell Foundation: ITE and EAL: Preparing trainee teachers to work in multilingual classrooms

6 November 2026

ITE and EAL: Preparing trainee teachers to work in multilingual classrooms

Preparing future teachers to meet the needs of every learner is essential in today’s diverse classrooms, particularly given that more than 1 in 5 pupils in England uses English as an Additional Language (EAL). The Bell Foundation’s Initial Teacher Training (ITT) modules provide evidence-informed, free to download adaptable teaching materials for ITT providers that are designed to equip student teachers with the skills and confidence to support learners who use EAL. The three modules are:

• Understanding EAL: Contexts, policies and pedagogy: this provides a broad and well-informed understanding of what constitutes "EAL" and explores key factors to consider around linguistic, academic and social inclusion.
• Language for Learning: takes a deeper look at the language learners encounter across the curriculum and offers frameworks for understanding how language learning can be integrated into all subject areas.
• Assessing learners who use EAL: this module first explores the importance of understanding a learner's proficiency in English, and then provides practical strategies for assessing proficiency in English, curriculum knowledge and home language.

You can find out more about the modules here: Initial Teacher Training - The Bell Foundation and for free access to the modules, please email: info@bell-foundation.org.uk

Opportunity to share feedback: If you already use the modules, and would be happy to share feedback to help inform updates and further development, please contact Caroline Bruce, Head of Programme at: Caroline.Bruce@Bell-foundation.org.uk