This 4-week introduction to CLIL course will develop your skills in how to teach CLIL effectively in whatever teaching and learning environment you are working in. This short teacher development course gives practical ideas to use in the classroom and the theoretical background behind them.

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) takes place when a subject (such as maths, science, geography) is taught in English, to learners with a different first language. There are two main focus points for each lesson; the subject content and an element of the English Language. It is closely related to EMI (English as the Medium of Instruction) which focuses solely on teaching the subject matter, and this course is beneficial to practitioners of both methodologies.

CLIL is commonly used in many state schools and international settings, where children need to improve their English as well as learn compulsory curriculum subjects. Using English to teach another subject/topic is also a stalwart of every English teacher’s repertoire, be it a grammar point or some vocabulary, hooking your lesson topic onto another subject is a standard technique for many of us.

This course gives a solid base of knowledge about this type of teaching either for newly qualified teachers or those with more experience and includes teaching strategies for planning and teaching successful CLIL lessons.

Who is the Introduction to Teaching CLIL course for?

This course is applicable in a wide range of contexts; from primary/secondary state school subject teachers to those working at International schools, language teachers who are supporting subject teachers, and teacher trainers who are supporting CLIL teachers.

Everybody who is using English in a subject classroom, whether for CLIL or EMI, can benefit from the content of this course.

Apply for this course if you answer YES to the following questions:

• Are you teaching (in any setting) at the time of the course?
• Do you have a basic teaching qualification? (including CELTA or equivalent)
• Do you have an English level of B1 or B2 minimum?
• Do you have some experience in teaching Young Learners?

What is the structure of the Introduction to Teaching CLIL course? 

This is a blended course with live and asynchronous components. Each week starts with a synchronous session lasting 90 minutes which is recorded for anybody who can’t attend. The rest of the weekly material is online and accessed as asynchronous self-study tasks within the week. The tutor will provide input and feedback, and course participants use the discussion forums to comment and compare the topic material with each other.

What is the content of the course?

There are four modules in this course, each focusing on a different element of CLIL.

Module 1 looks at the definitions and theoretical underpinnings of CLIL

• Definitions and different models: soft and hard CLIL
• CLIL aims: dual focus on content and language
• Teacher competencies: What does a CLIL teacher do?
• Theoretical underpinnings: The four Cs and the three Ds of CLIL
• What does CLIL look like in practice?

Module 2 focuses on the planning and execution of a CLIL lesson

• Defining learning objectives
• Task complexity and sequencing: from input to output
• Identifying academic language demands
• Scaffolding content, scaffolding language

Module 3 works on materials

• Selecting CLIL materials
• Adapting materials for the CLIL classroom
• Creating CLIL materials
• Identifying cognitive and linguistic challenges: Cummins’ quadrants

Module 4 is about assessing in the CLIL classroom

• Content, skills or language, what do we assess?
• Summative assessment: what makes a good exam question?
• Formative assessment: tips and techniques
• Backwards design

What is unique about the Introduction to Teaching CLIL course?

You will learn about the practical applications of the theories of CLIL. Being part of a global cohort means that you have many opportunities to share ideas and collaborate with other CLIL teachers around the world.

What is the time commitment of the CLIL course?

As well as the 90-minute live session each week which takes place on Mondays (these sessions are preliminarily scheduled for 1 pm UK time, but each course will be agreed upon between each tutor and course participants), Course Participants are expected to commit 3-5 hours per week to the course online.

(Source from https://ihworld.com/)