UK primary schools
EAL Assessment Framework for schools
The Bell Foundation's award-winning EAL Assessment Framework for Schools and digital EAL Assessment Tracker are available free of charge to all schools in the UK. Schools can use the Framework to assess learners with English as an Additional Language (EAL), understand their proficiency in English across listening, speaking, reading and writing, and track learner progress over time. To download the Assessment Framework, please register below.
Choose your EAL Assessment Framework
The EAL Assessment Framework is available for primary schools, secondary schools and EYFS settings, alongside free on-demand training and a dedicated version for international schools.
UK secondary schools
UK early years settings
International schools
Free, on-demand training
EAL assessment webinar
Learn more about using the EAL Assessment Framework in our free EAL assessment webinar recording.
Watch the webinar
Why assess proficiency in English for EAL learners?
Research from the University of Oxford on the educational achievement of learners who use EAL consistently demonstrates how proficiency in English can provide essential information about their likelihood to succeed in school and potential need for support (Strand & Demie, 2005; Strand, Malmberg & Hall, 2015; Strand & Hessel, 2018; Strand & Lindorff, 2020).
The Bell Foundation has worked with leading EAL assessment experts at King's College London and the University of Cambridge to create a suite of freely available, evidence-based EAL assessment tools. These are designed to support school staff to conduct meaningful assessments of learners' proficiency in English and use the information gathered to make effective decisions about teaching and learning.
What's included in the EAL Assessment Framework
The Bell Foundation's EAL assessment tools are straightforward, easy to use and designed with busy teachers in mind. They include:
- The EAL Assessment Framework for Schools (primary and secondary)
- Digital EAL Assessment Tracker
- Classroom Support Strategies (primary and secondary)
Implementing an ongoing cycle of formative assessment can help to inform individual target-setting and tailored support for EAL learners, ensuring that they can develop their English language skills, access the curriculum and fulfil their academic potential.
[The Framework] has helped the EAL department show real progress from our students, as opposed to tracking them against the National Curriculum. Using the old system, we couldn't see the progress as much but with The Bell Foundation assessment we can share the results with the students and parents to show real progress.EAL co-ordinator
How can schools assess EAL learners?
Explore further guidance to support your use of the Framework:
- EAL assessment training – EAL-specific CPD to support practitioners
- How do I assess an EAL learner? – Guidance on establishing valid, reliable assessment processes
- Levels of proficiency in English – Guidance on the five levels of proficiency used across the Framework
- Why is EAL assessment important? - On-page guidance explaining why EAL assessment matters and how it supports learners
- Guiding principles – The research underpinning the Framework
- User guide – support for teachers and TAs applying the Framework
- Home language assessment – Understanding first-language literacy and oracy
An impressive tool and I really enjoy working with it. Kudos to the development team.EAL co-ordinator
EAL Assessment Framework in Welsh
The EAL Assessment Framework is also available in Welsh for Foundation Phase, primary and secondary settings:
Why is EAL assessment important?
EAL learners are doing two things at the same time: learning the English language while also learning the curriculum through English.