Content Language: Europe

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Content LanguageEuropes CLIL and Americas
CBI

• Robert J. Dickey
• Korea TESOL
• Gyeongju University
• rjdickey_at_content-english.org

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Purpose of adding content

• Learning authentic language
• Learner motivation
• Always ??? topic choices consideration
• Preparing for overseas studies or reading/writing
  international publications
• 46 of universities in Japan now offering content
  courses in FL, number is growing in Korea and
  across Asia

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No agreement on definition!

• Over 35 terms of art in use, including
• content-based language instruction
• integrated content and language learning
• content-focused language learning
• enhanced language learning
• teaching English through content
• immersion
• and of course, CBI and CLIL

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No agreement on definition!

• Diversity is the definition?
• How many different ways to analyze aims and
  orientations?
• All-inclusive a good thing?
• For classrooms where a commitment has been made
  to content learning as well as language learning
• Various descriptive typologies

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No agreement on focus

• Using content to learn English
• content pre-selected
• content determines language points
• content-driven language learning?
• choosing language points from content
• content selected by language instructor
  ( students?)
• language aims determine content selection?
• language aims determine content use?
• common source for all content materials?

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No agreement on focus

• Using language to learn content
• Teaching Through English,
  Foreign Language Medium Instruction
• Total Immersion
• Krashens version of Sheltered Subject Matter
  Teaching
• Decisions made by -
• Administrators
• Departments (hosting the course)
• Teachers

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A few Types of CBI

• Subject Majors (e.g., Sociology, History, Art,
  Business)
• Academic Skills (EAP)
• Technology (e.g., computers/Internet, watching
  movies/commercials/, music)
• Vocational Skills
• Linguistics/Literature GRAMMAR???

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Teaching Methods

• CBI does not dictate methods/ techniques/approache
  s
• Task-based learning is a popular choice
• Arguably predates Communicative Language Teaching
  by centuries
• Not an English Only requirement
• Does not dictate medium of instruction distance
  learning, CALL, audio, video

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Duration of Content

• Sustained Content 6 weeks each
• Thematic multiple weeks each
• Topical multiple class hours - maybe
• One-off Lessons / Learning Activities
• Even simple Classroom English???

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Content-learning Designs

• Adjunct classes
• Regular content course with NS students
  language class complement
• Sheltered Workshops
• Content course with language learners only,
  simplified content or presentation
• Immersion (full or partial)
• Topical/Theme-based language courses

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Content-learning Designs

• Content-based design implemented at
• Curriculum level
• Syllabus (course) level
• Lesson level
• Target Language use
• Textbook Lecture (only)
• Class discussions Homework/Reports
• Quiz / Exam Combinations

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One mix of content and
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Content Matrix forElementary Theme-based /
Topical studies
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Another (my) perspective
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Balance of content English

• Based on various factors
• Possibility of intentionally grading the levels
  of content and language in a series of courses
• Dont neglect learner anxiety as a multiplier of
  all other issues
• A Gradient Continuum of classes?
• Content courses just one part of overall language
  learning program

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Striking the Balance
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Gradient Continuum ideas
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For More Info

• www.content-english.org
• Robert J. Dickey
• rjdickey_at_content-english.org