CLIL Course: Theory and Practice

Program Overview

This CLIL teacher training program empowers English teachers with innovative techniques to integrate English seamlessly into school subjects. Through hands-on activities and theoretical insights, participants enhance their confidence, skills, and English proficiency while connecting with European counterparts. The digital portfolio of lessons and projects showcases their expertise, and completion earns a certificate recognizing their mastery in CLIL methodology.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This course, "Theory and Practice of CLIL," is a specialized CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) teacher training program designed for language teachers, particularly those teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). The program aims to improve participants' CLIL teaching methods and classroom practices. The course objectives are to familiarize participants with key CLIL concepts and international best practices; develop their teaching techniques and confidence in teaching subjects through English, considering recent pedagogical developments (including classroom technology); cover various school subjects (geography, history, science, and art) focusing on making them accessible through English; examine the theoretical principles underpinning CLIL applicable to primary and secondary levels; develop and consolidate participants' English language skills; and establish contacts between teachers from various European backgrounds. The expected outcomes include increased confidence in using diverse teaching techniques (including new technology), greater awareness of international best practices in CLIL (including assessment), a digital portfolio of CLIL lesson plans and projects, enhanced personal English language skills, improved learner outcomes for students, and experience sharing with European professionals. The course is one to two weeks long and offered in London (for closed groups) or Dublin. It requires an upper-intermediate level of English proficiency.

Outline:

The course content includes key CLIL concepts, practical activities and teaching methods, intensive English tuition, development of linguistic, strategic, and pragmatic competences, and fluency development. The course covers a variety of school subjects including geography, history, science, and art, with a focus on methods of making these subjects accessible through English. The course duration is either one or two weeks. However, the creation of a digital portfolio of CLIL lesson plans and projects is mentioned as a course outcome, suggesting this portfolio may serve as a form of assessment.

Teaching:

The course uses a hands-on approach blending theory and practice. Teaching methods include lectures and practical activities. However, the improved CLIL skills and enhanced English proficiency gained are implicitly beneficial for career advancement in teaching.

Other:

The course is tailored for TEFL educators aiming to advance their Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and TEFL skills. Participants engage in a cross-cultural exchange with professionals across Europe, exploring native-speaking history and culture, and exploring Erasmus+ for further professional development. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate of completion and a digital skills portfolio showcasing their CLIL methodology expertise. The course is ideal for upper-intermediate to advanced English levels.