Main Tenets of CLIL

Main Tenets of CLIL are listed down as follows:

1. Knowledge of language becomes the means of learning the content.
2. It emphasizes language acquisition (acquiring language naturally as a byproduct of fulfilling ones daily needs) rather than language learning (learning language formally). So it tries to create an authentic learning environment by using authentic tasks involving real life language materials. It leads to practical and contextual learning of language.
3. It uses textual content and focuses on its vocabulary, grammar and register along with teaching the content. It enables learners to decode a text written in the target language with ease.
4. Fluency is focused upon than accuracy.
5. It is based on the purposeful use of language and thereby increases student motivation.
6. It results in integration of language skills

Four C’s of CLIL:

Content: It refers to the content selected for the class It includes the objectives specific to content learning. 

Communication: The CLIL model emphasizes the subject specific language that the learner would require to communicate his/ her ideas regarding the topic taught. 

Cognition: The CLIL model requires teachers to involve compelling challenging activities that motivate students to perform their best (without giving much thought to then language barriers). Higher order thinking processes like creative and critical thinking would certainly be involved. 

Culture: Learning a language would definitely involve learning the culture of its users. In this era of global enterprises the cultural exposure provided by CLIL is highly valuable.