CLIL QUESTIONS 2017/2
Category Question
Implementation Can we start a CLIL implementation process with subject
teachers who get a low language level (A1, A2)?
Assessment / Evaluation If the national assessment (ICFES) is delivered in the
mother tongue, how might the results affect the children
who have been exposed to CLIL programs in a different
language?
Teacher’s Role Who are considered best to carry out the CLIL processes?
Content teachers or language teachers?
Curriculum Do CLIL lessons have to cover all 4 Cs in it or we can
decided which ones to include?
RESPONSE
Yes, you can start a CLIL implementation with
teachers who have a low level of English. However,
keep in mind that teachers need to be able to
model the CLIL language effectively.
The results will not affect the learners who have
been exposed to the CLIL language given that the
skills and content they learn are transferable and
students can use them in any vehicular language.
This is an interesting question, I would say that
both have the opportunity to excel and delivering
quality CLIL courses.
Content teachers are “experts” on the content, but
not on delivery, teaching and at times find it
difficult actually “teach” the content.
Language teachers are “experts” in the language,
usually exposing students to an array of teaching
methods and styles, however often spend too
much time on grammar issues, thereby taking away
from using the “real” language for Real purposes.
No, the 4Cs do not always have to be used to
deliver a class. Although, it would be beneficial to
include at least -Content, Culture and
Communication.
Cognition / Curriculum Is it Ok if I just include HOTS in my lesson or is it
necessary to have in mind LOTS as well?
Assessment / Evaluation What could happen if the learning outcomes you include
at the beginning of the CLIL lesson are not the expected
ones?
Implementation How can teachers create a CLIL subject? and what steps
must we follow?
Implementation How would the implementation of CLIL affect teacher
training programs?
Curriculum How long would it take to create a syllabus or curriculum
with a CLIL approach?
Curriculum Can IB institutions have something close to CLIL (or pretty
much a CLIL approach) without noticing it in their
theoretical framework? If so, should they update it?
Implementation Would the implementation of CLIL affect teacher training
programs (Not only for language teachers)? If so, how
many people would be engaged or deterred from
becoming a teacher?
It is better if you have a balance! This balance
depends heavily on what will be taught. New
material, old or recycled?
The idea is that you have clear and practical
outcomes! It is up to you to track this throughout
the class.
Usually you plan the whole curriculum, but you can
start introducing specific chunks of content which
are taught in the target language, this to start
helping students get familiar with the type of
methodology used in CLIL.
The implementation of CLIL will not affect training
programs, basically more training programs will
need to be implemented, developed, offered.
This depends on the teacher(s) involved.
Curriculum: This is built first, could weeks or
months, once it is designed, then you would design
a syllabus.
Syllabus: This is based on the curriculum / scope
and Sequence that was initially designed.
CLIL involves all programs, therefore it can be
adapted to suit the needs of the school.
This would be added value given the low number of
institutions that actually offer a program that
prepares content teachers to deliver their subjects
in a foreign language. This would tackle the issue of
teacher availability for schools to start thinking of
implementing CLIL.
Material Design / CLIL requires a remarkable amount of resources and
Implementation planning? How can it be implemented in public
education? What changes would be needed?
Implementation How can we apply CLIL in a public school? Considering
most of public schools only have one English teacher and
Content teacher do not like English language or do not
feel fluency in English.
Purpose of CLIL How can CLIL be helpful to students who have a Pre-A1 or
A1 level of English (public schools)?
Implementation How can we implement CLIL methodology as an
interdisciplinary project if other teachers in school do not
speak English or do not know anything about English?
Yes, there is a lot of time, efforts and resources
that are needed in order to successfully put
together a CLIL program. However, the extent and
length of a CLIL Program depends on what is
needed at a particular school context. There are
many models that be adapted to suit the needs of a
Colombian Public School.
Same as Above
CLIL is inclusive and provides opportunities for
students such as:
- Dealing with questions rather than answers
- Sharing their opinions
- Participating in group projects
- Working with real-world issues and people
- Having teachers who talk to them as equals
rather than as inferiors.
This is a decision that needs to be addressed at
your school prior to starting the project, however a
few ideas:
Interdisciplinary Projects can be in both L1 and L2
Clears instructions on how both languages will be
used
The project can be set up by Theme, Unit, etc.
The Communication and Cognition can be used in
the Language class and Content and Cognition
could be used in the L1 classroom
Curriculum How to create a syllabus/curriculum according to Creating a Syllabus
students’ needs and using a CLIL approach?