Fostering the Fusion of Language and Content Learning within the Classroom

In an increasingly interconnected global landscape, language acquisition assumes a pivotal role in facilitating communication and cross-cultural comprehension. Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) has emerged as a potent pedagogical approach, interweaving language mastery with subject-specific education. Through adept utilization of information and communication technology (ICT), gamified tools, multimedia content creation, and dynamic experiential exercises, participants are amply equipped to champion linguistic diversity in education and equip students for their roles as proactive European citizens.

A recent iteration of the "Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) course for teachers unfolded in Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife from 15/07/2023 to 22/07/2023. We hosted our dear participants Francesca Amati, Isabella Gigante, Rosa Glorioso, Ladisa Crescenza, Davide Magnisi, Gabriella Massari, Luigi Melpignano, Carmela Mesto, Anna Maria Pani, Vincenzo Poliseno and Angela Teatino  from Istituto Professionale "Santarella – De Lilla" di Bari. Once again the whole experiance was jointly organized with our partners from Umbria Training Center APS and their amazing coordinator Chiara Giacomaniello.

The commencement of the CLIL course was marked by an invigorating brainstorming session, encouraging participants to share their current practices and pre-existing CLIL-related knowledge. This collaborative endeavor fostered a stimulating atmosphere for the exchange and exploration of knowledge. The course journeyed through a theoretical examination of CLIL principles, elucidating the significance of imparting subject matter through a secondary language. At the heart of the course was the role of the instructor in facilitating the fusion of language, cultivating an enriching learning milieu that nurtures both content comprehension and linguistic prowess.

The course offered valuable insights into effective CLIL-focused lesson planning. Participants gained access to invaluable advice and methodologies for crafting engaging and purposeful CLIL lessons. By pooling resources and experiences, attendees embarked on drafting their own lesson plans, setting the stage for subsequent steps.
Exploration into the seamless integration of captivating texts and videos in CLIL classrooms was a pivotal aspect of the course, leveraging multimedia resources with ingenuity. Participants delved into prevalent ICT tools in education, with a practical focus on those most pertinent to their individual needs and interests. These tools were harnessed in the creation of educational games and interactive presentations, seamlessly infusing them into their lesson blueprints.
Participants were introduced to experiential learning activities that elevate the quality of CLIL instruction. They uncovered effective strategies for promoting collaboration and peer learning in the classroom, facilitating language-infused exchanges on the given subject. Through hands-on engagement, they gleaned insights into cultivating an interactive and immersive learning environment.
Culminating the experience, participants shared their refined lesson plans, integrating freshly acquired strategies and activities developed throughout the week. This showcased their readiness to establish captivating and language-enriched CLIL classrooms.
Further information about this course can be accessed here.