Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) Course

I am currently enrolled in one of the free online courses offered by EVO that started the second week in January. The focus is on Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), with special attention being given to using technology to help achieve both content and language proficiency goals.

I am fascinated by the idea of CLIL because I think it fits very well with peace education and language learning. As I’ve been wondering how I can best marry those two fields as a teacher, CLIL has offered some neat ideas about how to go about doing it. Because there is a dual and equal focus on the content (be it peace studies, science, literature, math, cooking) well as language in CLIL, if done well, CLIL methods might help ensure that both quality language learning can happen, and students learn about an important subject. The basic philosophy is [Content] through [language]. So peace education through English etc., or Conflict Resolution through Spanish etc. The content, instead of simply being a theme or scaffold to learn a certain grammar form or vocabulary set becomes something that we also want to see our students become competent in.

There are fabulous resources available everywhere, but here is an online introductory course to CLIL that might be a great place to start: CLIL4U Main Course.

So many ideas are floating around in my head and many questions as well. What about you?

How might putting equal focus on content and language be helpful? Is it really possible to do?

What is the benefit of learning about a topic like Peace or Conflict Resolution in an L2?