OSCE drops

One Stop CLIL Europe drop 1

The European Council states that there is a direct link between the promotion of a comprehensive approach to language and teaching and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL): “Teaching subjects through an additional language, and digital and online tools for language learning have proven efficient for different categories of learners. Thus, language teachers across Europe could benefit from continuous professional development in both updating their digital competence and learning how they can best support their teaching practice by using different methodologies and new technologies. An inventory of open educational resources could support them in this, taking into account the work of the Council of Europe.” Council Recommendation of 22 May 2019 on a comprehensive approach to the teaching and learning of languages (europa.eu) With our ‘one stop shop’ project we want to be an added value for this open inventory.

One Stop CLIL Europe drop 2

There are a several reasons why it’s good news that CLIL is very successful in Europe. High quality CLIL courses, in which the learning is as deep as it would be if the subject were delivered in the learners’ first language due to the CLIL methodology,

  • challenge pupils and students more cognitively: this may help them develop their pragmatic and sociolinguistic competences better.
  • teach pupils and students that every subject has its own specific linguistic and discourse features: this may help them make progress in language competences, especially at levels B1 and above of the  Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, teaching, assessment  (CEFR). The CEFR Levels – Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (coe.int)
  • are an advantage with regard to internships, employment opportunities and entrance in higher education in many countries
  • may save time in the curriculum when used as a substitute for regular foreign language courses. Of course, when the focus is on the content, the challenge is to ensure language progress

ECML/CELV > Thematic areas > Content and Language Integrated Learning

One Stop CLIL Europe drop 3

The needs analysis of our ‘One Stop CLIL Europe’ project has shown that high quality CLIL education not only depends on high quality CLIL courses but also on

  • how inclusive the access to CLIL courses is
  • how language aware all other courses at schools and institutions of higher education are taught
  • the active participation of all stakeholders
  • the well-being of all stakeholders
  • the internal and external quality assurance of the CLIL curriculum

Therefore, it is clear that high quality CLIL education needs the whole school approach.

One Stop CLIL Europe drop 4

Our ‘One Stop CLIL Europe’ position paper discusses the implementation of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in European schools. It highlights concerns about content reduction, foreign language competence, impact on the mother tongue, pedagogical practices, and the perceived elitism of CLIL programs. Research shows that CLIL positively impacts content learning, enhances language skills, and provides cognitive and intercultural benefits over time. Our paper identifies best practices for high-quality CLIL, such as offering rich linguistic input, using visual and multimodal scaffolding, and promoting learner-centred methodologies. It advocates for a pluriliteracies approach and addresses the challenges of diversity in CLIL classrooms. Additionally, it calls for thorough quality assurance and solid teacher training to create inclusive, high-quality CLIL practices across Europe, aiming for a whole-school approach that benefits all students.

Scroll to Top