Enhancing Content and Language Integrated Learning in the classroom

In an increasingly interconnected world, language learning plays a crucial role in promoting communication and understanding across cultures. Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) has emerged as a powerful methodology that combines language acquisition with subject-based learning. By learning how to  incorporate ICT and game-based tools, multimedia content creation, and dynamic experiential activities, participants are more equipped to promote linguistic diversity in education and prepare students for their roles as European citizens.

In this special edition of the course “Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) course for teachers” that took place in Bologna from 04/06/2023 to 10/06/2023, eight teachers from Technical School in Starachowice (Poland) delved together in the course topics. The teachers involved, Iwona, Radosław, Marzena, Monika, Olga, Dariusz, Edyta and Jarosław, could share their experiences and plans for implementing CLIL in various subjects, including language learning, technical subjects, literature and physical education.

The CLIL course began with a dynamic brainstorming session, encouraging participants to share their existing practices and prior knowledge related to CLIL. This collaborative activity fostered an engaging environment for knowledge exchange and exploration. The course went through a theoretical exploration of CLIL principles, understanding the significance of teaching content through a second language. The course emphasized the pivotal role of the teacher in facilitating language integration, creating a rich learning environment that nurtures both content knowledge and language skills.

Insights into effective lesson planning within the CLIL context was provided. Participants discovered valuable tips and techniques to craft engaging and purposeful CLIL lessons. By sharing resources and experiences, participants began to develop their own lesson plans draft, which served as a foundation for subsequent activities.

The course delved into the integration of captivating texts and videos in CLIL classrooms to leverage multimedia resources creatively. Participants explored common ICT tools in education, with a practical focus on those which proved to be the most relevant to their specific needs and interests. They practiced these tools to create educational games and interactive presentations, seamlessly integrating them into their lesson plans.

Participants were introduced to experiential learning activities that enhance CLIL lessons. They discovered effective strategies to promote collaboration and peer learning in the classroom, facilitating language communication on the subject matter. Through hands-on experiences, they gained insights into fostering an interactive and immersive learning environment.
Participants could finally share their finalized lesson plans, which incorporated the newly acquired strategies and activities developed throughout the week, proving their readiness to create engaging and language-rich CLIL classrooms.
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More info on this course here.