Content Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)

      The term 'Content and Language Integrated Learning' (CLIL), a competence-based pedagogic approach, was coined by David Marsh, University of Jyvaskyla, Finland (1994):

"CLIL refers to situations where subjects, or parts of subjects, are taught through a foreign language with dual-focused aims, namely the learning of content and the simultaneous learning of a foreign language." That is,

1. The learning of language is given importance.
2. Language elements are learnt both in the language classes and in the classes dealing with specific subjects.
3. The focus is to enable the learner to communicate effectively in the subject area also.

What do the terms ‘content’, ‘language’ and ‘learning’ in CLIL signify?

‘Content’ in CLIL is

• the non-language subjects or scientific disciplines like, the Sciences, Mathematics, Arts, etc. It is a vehicle for language learning and language use.

‘Language’ in CLIL is:'

• the language of learning (that means, a language used for learning key words or phrases, etc. in the text);
• the language for learning (that means, using the language to clear doubts, to enter into discussions, to organize and present information clearly); and,
• the language through learning (that means, the new language ability that the , student gets by studying the text)

‘Learning’ in CLIL is:

• A mediating process through which content and language are co-constructed