Content and Language Integrated Learning

Content and Language Integrated Learning

🔹 What is CLIL?

CLIL is a teaching methodology where subjects like history, science, or geography are taught in a foreign language (often English). The goal is to teach both the subject content and the language at the same time.

So instead of learning English as a separate language subject, students learn through English — by studying real academic subjects.

🔍 Why is CLIL Used in Schools?

CLIL is increasingly popular across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, and here’s why:

1. Bilingualism/Multilingualism Goals:Countries like Germany, Spain, Finland, and the Netherlands aim to prepare students for a globalized world. Teaching in English helps students become bilingual or even trilingual.

2. Increased Language Exposure:Instead of learning English for just a few hours per week, students get immersed in it daily through regular subjects.

3. Academic Language Development:Students learn subject-specific vocabulary in English (e.g., political terms in history or scientific processes in biology), preparing them for international studies or work.

4. Global Competence & Opportunities:Many university programs and careers require fluency in English, so CLIL prepares students for future academic and professional environments.

🏫 Where Is CLIL Used?

• Germany: Many Gymnasien (academic-track high schools) offer subjects like history, biology, or geography in English, especially in bilingual tracks.

• Spain: The MEC-British Council bilingual program has led many public schools to adopt English for subjects like science and social studies.

• Italy: In upper secondary schools (liceo), CLIL is mandatory for at least one non-language subject in the final years.

• Other countries: Finland, Austria, Poland, Chile, Colombia, and the UAE also have growing CLIL programs.

🧠 How Does CLIL Work?

Teachers design lessons where:

• Language learning goals and subject goals are both planned.

• Students get scaffolded support (e.g., visuals, glossaries, simplified texts).

• The focus is on communication, critical thinking, and active learning.

Example:

A history lesson in English might teach:

• Content: The Cold War timeline

• Language: Past tenses, cause-effect connectors (e.g., “as a result”), political vocabulary (e.g., “ideology”, “treaty”)

📚 CLIL vs. Immersion

CLIL is often confused with language immersion programs, but they’re slightly different:

• CLIL: Focuses on both content and language goals explicitly.

• Immersion: Usually involves full schooling in a second language, without separate language focus.

✅ Benefits of CLIL

• Better language fluency

• Increased confidence

• Broader vocabulary range

• Real-world language use

• Improved academic and global career prospects

🤔 Challenges?

• It requires specially trained teachers (content AND language skills).

• Students need support, especially at first.

• Materials might be harder to find or need adaptation.

🧾 Summary:

Aspect	CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning)
Goal	Teach content & language together
Languages used	Often English, sometimes French, German, etc.
Subjects	History, Science, Geography, etc.
Common in	Germany, Spain, Italy, Finland, many more
Benefits	Bilingualism, fluency, academic readiness, global skills