What is CLIL (And Why It Actually Works)

Welcome to my first post on The HUNT for Making English More Interesting for Teachers and Students.  Let’s start out with:

CLIL

What does it stand for?

Content and Language Integrated Learning

Fine, but what is that?

CLIL is a teaching methodology in Europe that focuses on offering content in a foreign language.  For example, a Spanish primary student takes Social Studies in English.  The focus is on the content.  English is the vehicle for the content.  Language becomes purposeful instead of procedural.

When it comes to CLIL, you will often hear the “4 C’s.”  Content is first.  Communication is second.  Culture and Cognition are also key factors.

I first came across CLIL without even knowing it last year.  I transitioned from a thirty-year corporate career in the US to an educational one as a Language Assistant in Spain.  My first year, I served at a high school that included both college preparatory (Bachillerato) and vocational (Formacion Profesional) curriculum.  I supported 28 different classes across two weekly schedules.  I thought I would lose my mind.  I ended up finding so much more.

It took time.  The kids were nervous at first.  Their English levels ranged from A1 Beginner to C1 Certified. The more experienced English speakers would help the beginners.  Conversely, the more experienced content learners would then help the less experienced content learners.  Students were building community. 

I was new to the approach, but the teachers were gracious and let me lead lessons, and I saw real growth in the students.  They were progressing in their language ability, and they were building critical thinking skills.  When students were genuinely interested in the topic, they listened more carefully and thought more critically to answer questions, solve problems and present their ideas.  And this was during my first year.  Looking back, my classes could have been so much richer in terms of visuals and scaffolded exercises.

Like the students themselves, I never thought I could do it.  With time, thought and a lot of hard work, we learned together.  So, here are my thoughts on CLIL:

·       It takes a lot of work up front.  With time and preparation, you will see a difference in the way you teach and the way your students think

·       If you make the subject matter interesting enough for the students, you make the language interesting for them as well

·       Know your students and adapt the material.  Visuals are everything – more photos, more realia, more infographics.  Whatever works with your students, use it and if it doesn’t work exactly, adapt it

·       Finally, with time, take a “consultancy” role and let the students become the teachers.  They will not only learn the material, but they will also master it

CLIL has been re-introduced in Spain for vocational education, and it has been used in high school (ESO) and college preparatory classes as well as in primary school for over two decades.  CLIL subjects tend to be focused on geography, science and social science.  There is so much potential for making history more interesting through CLIL.  I will be discussing my ideas on that in future posts. 

What are your thoughts?  Please comment below and, in the meantime, here are some more resources on making CLIL work for you and your students:

CLIL - A Brief Introduction

Professor Do Coyle - What Isn't CLIL?

Introduction to CLIL:  The 4 C's