CONTENT AND LANGUAGE INTEGRATED LEARNING (CLIL)

What is Content and Language Integrated Learning? 

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is an approach where students learn a subject and a second language at the same time. A science course, for example, can be taught to students in English and they will not only learn about science, but they will also gain relevant vocabulary and language skills.

It’s important to note that CLIL is not a means of simplifying content or reteaching something students already know in a new language. CLIL courses should truly integrate the language and content in order to be successful – and success is determined when both the subject matter and language is learned.

Who is CLIL for?

CLIL can work for students of any age, all the way from primary level to university and beyond. So long as the course content and language aims are designed with the students’ needs in mind, there is no limit as to who can benefit from this teaching approach. However, it is most commonly found in primary and secondary school contexts.

How does CLIL work?

The basis of CLIL is that content subjects are taught and learnt in a language which is not the mother tongue of the learners.

• Knowledge of the language becomes the means of learning content

• Language is integrated into the broad curriculum

• Learning is improved through increased motivation and the study of natural language seen in context. When learners are interested in a topic they are motivated to acquire language to communicate

• CLIL is based on language acquisition rather than enforced learning

• Language is seen in real-life situations in which students can acquire the language. This is natural language development which builds on other forms of learning

• CLIL is long-term learning. Students become academically proficient in English after 5-7 years in a good bilingual programme

• Fluency is more important than accuracy and errors are a natural part of language learning. Learners develop fluency in English by using English to communicate for a variety of purposes
• Reading is the essential skill.

Why is CLIL important?

With the expansion of the European Union, diversity of language and the need for communication are seen as central issues.

• Even with English as the main language, other languages are unlikely to disappear. Some countries have strong views regarding the use of other languages within their borders.

• With increased contact between countries, there will be an increase in the need for communicative skills in a second or third language.

• Languages will play a key role in curricula across Europe. Attention needs to be given to the training of teachers and the development of frameworks and methods which will improve the quality of language education

• The European Commission has been looking into the state of bilingualism and language education since the 1990s, and has a clear vision of a multilingual Europe in which people can function in two or three languages

How can you apply CLIL to your class?

It’s important to have a strategy in place when applying CLIL in your courses. One of the key things to remember is that the language and subject content are given equal weight and that it shouldn’t be treated as a language class nor a subject class simply taught in a foreign language. According to Coyle’s 4Cs curriculum (1999), a successful CLIL class should include the following four elements:

• Content – Progression in knowledge, skills and understanding related to specific elements of a defined curriculum
• Communication – Using language to learn whilst learning to use language
• Cognition – Developing thinking skills which link concept formation (abstract and concrete), understanding and language
• Culture – Exposure to alternative perspectives and shared understandings, which deepen awareness of otherness and self.

Using a number of frameworks can help you prepare your lessons and make sure activities are challenging, yet achievable for your learners.

What are the main benefits of CLIL?

Many teachers see CLIL as a more natural way to learn a language; when a subject is taught in that language there is a concrete reason to learn both at the same time. And as students have a real context to learn the language in, they are often more motivated to do so, as they can only get the most of the content if they understand the language around it.

Moreover, being content focused, CLIL classes add an extra dimension to the class and engage students, which is especially advantageous in situations where students are unenthusiastic about learning a language.

CLIL also promotes a deeper level of assimilation – as students are repeatedly exposed to similar language and language functions and they need to produce and recall information in their second language. Furthermore, it has the advantage that multiple subjects can be taught in English, so that students’ exposure to the language is increased, meaning their language acquisition is faster.

he advantages of CLIL

CLIL helps to:

• Introduce the wider cultural context

• Prepare for internationalisation

• Access International Certification and enhance the school profile

• Improve overall and specific language competence

• Prepare for future studies and / or working life

• Develop multilingual interests and attitudes

• Diversify methods & forms of classroom teaching and learning

• Increase learner motivation.

  WEBSITES

https://www.english.com/blog/content-and-language-integrated-learning/

https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/content-language-integrated-learning