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Exploring CLIL

Rome March 10th 2025

Prof. Marina Morbiducci

Lecturer Esterina La Torre

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Introduction to CLIL

(Content and Language Integrated Learning)

What is CLIL?

Teaching a subject (science, history, etc.) through a foreign/second language.

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Umbrella term

CBI, TBA, IMMERSION, and BILINGUAL EDUCATION

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Think-Pair-Share

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Who Created CLIL?

David Marsh (1994) / Do Coyle - Finland University

´CLIL refers to situations where subjects, or parts of subjects, are taught through a foreign language with dual-focussed aims, namely the learning of content, and the simultaneous learning of a foreign language'. (Marsh, 1994)

Goal: Promote multilingualism in Europe

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Language in CLIL

  • BICS-Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills) 

  • CALP – Cognitive Academic  Language Proficiency

Language is a tool, a medium not just a goal

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The Language Triptych

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SOFT CLIL — HARD CLIL

Hard CLIL subject is taught in a foreign language the main lesson objective is the content objective, not the language

Soft CLIL the content of the subject is subordinate to the language goal

Primary Schools CLIL Showers

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8 different types of CLIL

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The CLIL Teacher

  • Dual Role: Content expert + language facilitator

  • Scaffolding strategies
  • Language-awareness
  • Cross-curricular creativity

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SCAFFOLDING

“Jerome Bruner”

Definition: support for learners

Visual aids (charts, diagrams, posters)

G.O.

Sentence starters

Collaborative tasks

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4 Cs Framework- Teaching Principles

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TEACHING PRINCIPLES

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CLIL PYRAMID

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CLIL PYRAMID in a minute

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INNOVATIONS

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Time to play…….Match Acronyms

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CLIL Sample Lesson

“What can you see in these images?”

"What do you think these shapes are?"

"Are they natural or man-made?"

"Where can we find letters or numbers like these?"

"What do you notice about these pictures?"

"Do you think these patterns are real?"