CLIL – Content Language and Integrated Learning

Course Overview

Content and Language Integrated Learning, or CLIL, is a teaching approach that has gained popularity in recent years, particularly in the field of language education. The method involves teaching a subject in a second language, usually English, while also ensuring that students acquire language skills alongside subject-specific knowledge.

CLIL offers a fast, fun, and effective way of teaching English, as it takes advantage of students’ natural curiosity and interest in the subject matter. This approach allows students to learn English in a meaningful and engaging way, by exploring content that is relevant and interesting to them.

Who is this course for?

The CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) is an intensive professional training course for primary and secondary school teachers who have little or no CLIL experience, but who want to know more and are aiming to teach subjects such as history, economics or science through English in the future.

Format

This CLIL course can be organised as either a one-week or two-week course and consists of 20 classroom-based sessions per week, plus an extensive cultural and social programme led by your teacher trainers.

  • 20 lessons of group tuition / week
  • 6 lessons of integrated off-site activities / week

  • 1 lesson = 50 minutes
  • Course Duration: 1 week or 2 weeks
  • Level: Upper-intermediate (B2)
  • Course Location: Dublin

Course Dates

Spring 2024 Summer 2024 Autumn & Winter 2024
25th March – 6th April 15th July – 27th July 21st October – 2nd November
12th August – 24th August 9th December – 20th December

Course Aims

By attending this CLIL course you will:

  • Explore techniques for scaffolding language and content
  • Gain a better understanding of how to plan lessons with language in mind
  • Become more efficient and more competent in designing CLIL teaching materials
  • Be more confident in delivering CLIL lessons
  • Develop your own English language skills.
  • Gain awareness of Irish culture and society through topical, interactive lessons.
  • Establish contacts between teachers from a variety of education systems and facilitate future networking.

Methodology

This is a practical course which uses real teaching and learning examples. Teachers completing the course will return home with immediate, practical ideas to implement in their own teaching practice.

  • Participants are expected to actively participate in the workshops, reflecting on their own beliefs and practice, and sharing thoughts, ideas and expertise in pair work, small groups and with the class as a whole.
  • During the course participants will also take part in a range of afternoon activities where they will be encouraged to develop their language skills in a more informal environment outside the classroom and further enhance their knowledge of contemporary Ireland.

Course Programme & Sample Timetable

  • Strategies and techniques for planning and teaching successful CLIL lessons
  • Irish Life and Culture (including a focus on language development)
Week One
(Sample)
Session One
9am to 10.40am
Session Two
11:10am to 12.50pm
Afternoon Activity
Monday Course Orientation.

CLIL Fundamentals: Learning Principles, Teachers’ Roles, European Dimension.

Dublin’s Parks, Squares and Public Spaces Orientation Tour around Dublin
Tuesday Lesson Frameworks and Planning for CLIL Analysing a CLIL Lesson and Sharing Effective Teaching Practices 1: What Makes the Sun Shine – the Nature and Composition of the Sun Trinity College and the Book of Kells
Wednesday Guiding Input: Adapting and Exploiting Texts Ireland – Brexit, The Border and a Border Poll The Liberties Walk and Talk Tour with teacher
Thursday Teaching and Dealing with Vocabulary in the CLIL Classroom Changing Ireland: Women in Irish Society Visit to Kilmainham Gaol
Friday Creating Visual Language Resources – Using ChatGPT and Other Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tools to Support Learning. Reflection on learning. Developing your Personal Learning Network (PLN) Looking ahead. End of course Irish Coffee Free afternoon

(Option: join our Film and Fluency Club)

Saturday Full day excursion to Howth

Follow up

Participants on the course are encouraged to keep in contact, sharing materials and experiences when back in your own classrooms. Follow-up contact is made with the participants three months after completion of the course to gather feedback on the effectiveness of the classroom activities presented and on how your teaching practice has been developed. The course trainers are available for follow-up advice and support at all times.

Price List

1 - week training course

450
  • Programme includes materials, excursions and activities.
  • Additional Fee: Residential Accommodation: €375 for one week in residence (single ensuite room, self-catering) + €65 placement fee + EUR30 ( summer supplement for accommodation bookings 17th Jun – 10th Sept)

2 - week training course

890
  • Programme includes materials, excursions and activities.
  • Additional Fee: Residential Accommodation: €750 for two weeks in residence (single ensuite room, self-catering) + €65 placement fee + EUR30 ( summer supplement for accommodation bookings 17th Jun – 10th Sept)