What is Content and Language Integrated Learning?

Joanna Wiseman
Joanna Wiseman
A teacher sat at a table with young students working together
Reading time: 4 minutes

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is an approach where students learn a subject and a second language at the same time. A science course, for example, can be taught to students in English and they will not only learn about science, but they will also gain relevant vocabulary and language skills.

It’s important to note that CLIL is not a means of simplifying content or reteaching something students already know in a new language. CLIL courses should truly integrate the language and content in order to be successful – and success is determined when both the subject matter and language is learned.

Who is CLIL for?

CLIL can work for students of any age, all the way from primary level to university and beyond. So long as the course content and language aims are designed with the students’ needs in mind, there is no limit as to who can benefit from this teaching approach. However, it is most commonly found in primary and secondary school contexts.

What are the main benefits of CLIL?

Many teachers see CLIL as a more natural way to learn a language; when a subject is taught in that language there is a concrete reason to learn both at the same time. And as students have a real context to learn the language in, they are often more motivated to do so, as they can only get the most of the content if they understand the language around it.

Moreover, being content focused, CLIL classes add an extra dimension to the class and engage students, which is especially advantageous in situations where students are unenthusiastic about learning a language.

CLIL also promotes a deeper level of assimilation, as students are repeatedly exposed to similar language and language functions, and they need to produce and recall information in their second language.

Furthermore, it has the advantage that multiple subjects can be taught in English, so that students’ exposure to the language is increased and their language acquisition is faster.

CLIL also encourages students to develop 21st century skills, including the ability to think critically, be creative, communicate and collaborate. 

What are the challenges of CLIL?

As CLIL is subject-focused, language teachers may also have to develop their own knowledge of new subjects in order to teach effectively.

They must also structure classes carefully so that the students understand the content of the lesson, as well as the language through which the information is being conveyed.

And when it comes to classroom management, educators need to be very aware of individual student understanding and progress.

It’s therefore important to consistently concept check and scaffold the materials to be sure both the language and content are being learned.

How can you apply CLIL to your class?

It’s important to have a strategy in place when applying CLIL in your courses. One of the key things to remember is that the language and subject content are given equal weight and that it shouldn’t be treated as a language class nor a subject class simply taught in a foreign language.

According to Coyle’s 4Cs curriculum (1999), a successful CLIL class should include the following four elements:

  • Content – Progression in knowledge, skills and understanding related to specific elements of a defined curriculum
  • Communication – Using language to learn whilst learning to use language
  • Cognition – Developing thinking skills which link concept formation (abstract and concrete), understanding and language
  • Culture – Exposure to alternative perspectives and shared understandings, which deepen awareness of otherness and self

Using a number of frameworks can help you prepare your lessons and make sure activities are challenging yet achievable for your learners.

Bloom’s Taxonomy, for example, classifies learning objectives in education and puts skills in a hierarchy, from Lower Order Thinking Skills (LOTS) to Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS).

In the diagram below, you can see the levels increasing in complexity from the base up to the triangle’s peak.

The framework shows how different tasks relate to different levels of assimilation. It’s fairly intuitive, but applying this information to your lesson preparation is not always so straightforward.

That’s where the helpful Blooming Verbs list comes in. The following chart shows you how different verbs can correlate to the different stages in the taxonomy, allowing you to formulate questions and design activities that develop your CLIL classes in a logical way.

By using the verbs in the first column you’ll see how much they remember about a topic you have covered previously. Examples might include:

  • Can you name three different types of jungle animal?
  • Can you tell me how often a python eats food?
  • Can you describe what it’s like in the rainforest?

You can then do the same for the subsequent stages of the taxonomy.

The verb chart can also help you design a class project or series of activities that follow a logical sequence using the “Students will be able to…” (SWBAT) framework. This will help you set clear objectives and check progress towards the end of a class, series of classes or course.

Here’s an example of how you can develop a set of objectives using the verb columns to help you navigate Bloom’s Taxonomy:

  1. SWBAT name 10 different animals that live in the rainforest
  2. SWBAT predict what animals eat
  3. SWBAT complete a simple food chain
  4. SWBAT categorize animals into different classifications (mammal, reptile, fish etc.)
  5. SWBAT recommend ways to protect an endangered species
  6. SWBAT create a new habitat for an endangered species of their choice

In this way you will be able to scaffold your materials to ensure that your students are supported step by step while learning subject matter and achieving language learning objectives.

Read our post 'Talking technology: Teaching 21st century communication strategies'.

Explore Pearson English Journey

More blogs from Pearson

  • Teenage students looking at a phone together outside
    Six easy ways to learn English
    By Steffanie Zazulak
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Learning English can open doors to better career opportunities, travel experiences and global communication. However, staying motivated while learning a new language can sometimes be challenging. The good news is that there are many easy ways to learn English that fit into your daily routine.

    Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your fluency, these practical English learning tips will help you build confidence and develop your speaking, listening, reading and vocabulary skills faster.

    1. Play word games to build your English vocabulary

    One of the most enjoyable ways to learn English is through word games. Games like Scrabble, Words With Friends, crossword puzzles and word search apps can help you expand your English vocabulary while having fun.

    Word games encourage you to think in English, recognize spelling patterns and learn new words naturally. If you're studying with friends or classmates, make it a regular activity to practice together and challenge each other's vocabulary skills.

    Benefits:

    • Improves vocabulary retention
    • Enhances spelling skills
    • Makes learning English enjoyable
  • A teacher working on a interactive whiteboard and students raising their hands
    Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in language education
    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Language classrooms are naturally diverse. Some students are confident speakers but struggle with writing. Others may be multilingual learners, students with learning differences or learners who simply need more time and support. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) offers a practical framework for meeting these varied needs without creating separate lessons for every student.

    UDL was developed by CAST, a nonprofit organization focused on education research and development, and is based on the idea that barriers to learning often exist in the design of instruction rather than in the learners themselves. Instead of expecting all students to learn in the same way, UDL encourages teachers to provide flexible pathways that help everyone access and engage with learning. According to CAST's overview of UDL , UDL aims to improve learning for all students through flexible goals, methods, materials and assessments.

    The three core principles of UDL

    At the heart of UDL are three principles that help teachers design more inclusive learning experiences.

    1. Multiple means of engagement

    This principle focuses on motivation and participation. Students are more likely to learn when they see value in what they are doing and have some choice in how they learn.

    In a language classroom, this might include:

    • Allowing students to choose discussion topics related to their interests
    • Using authentic materials such as podcasts, songs, news articles or social media posts
    • Offering different levels of challenge within the same activity

    When students feel connected to the content, they are more willing to take risks and use the target language. The CAST UDL Guidelines provide detailed recommendations for increasing learner engagement and motivation.

    2. Multiple means of representation

    Students do not all process information in the same way. UDL encourages teachers to present information through different formats so that learners have several ways to understand new content.

    For language teachers, this could mean:

    • Combining written text with audio recordings
    • Using images, diagrams, gestures and videos to support comprehension
    • Pre-teaching key vocabulary before introducing a complex reading task
    • Providing transcripts for listening activities

    These supports are not only beneficial for students with identified learning needs; they often improve comprehension for the entire class. CAST's guidance on representation highlights how varied formats can support learner understanding.

    3. Multiple means of action and expression

    Students should have different opportunities to demonstrate what they know. Traditional language assessments often favor a narrow set of skills, but learners may show understanding in many ways.

    Examples include:

    • Recording an oral presentation instead of delivering it live.
    • Creating a video, podcast or digital story.
    • Participating in an interview or conversation.
    • Producing written work using supportive technologies.

    The learning objective remains the same, but students have more than one way to demonstrate achievement. The educational resource Understood.org explains this principle in its guide to UDL.

    Why UDL matters in language education

    Language learning involves reading, writing, listening, speaking, vocabulary development and cultural understanding. Because so many skills are involved, barriers can emerge in different places for different learners. UDL helps teachers anticipate these differences and design lessons that provide access from the start rather than adding accommodations later.

    Research from CAST suggests that designing for learner variability benefits all students, not just those with identified educational needs. This is particularly relevant in language classrooms, where students often have diverse linguistic backgrounds, proficiency levels and learning preferences.

    Importantly, UDL is not about creating separate lessons for every learner. Instead, it is about building flexibility into lesson design so that a wider range of students can participate successfully.

    UDL strategies for language teachers

    If you are new to UDL, start small. Consider adding one or two flexible options to your existing lessons.

    Here are a few simple ideas:

    • Provide both written and spoken instructions.
    • Use captions on videos whenever possible.
    • Offer vocabulary lists with visuals and examples.
    • Allow students to choose between speaking or writing for some tasks.
    • Include collaborative and independent learning opportunities.
    • Use digital tools that support translation, text-to-speech or speech-to-text functions.
    • Clearly communicate learning goals before each lesson.

    For additional classroom examples, CAST's UDL Guidelines website contains guidance that teachers can adapt across different age groups and language-learning contexts.

  • Friends stood by a camper van with food by the sea socialising
    How to maintain language skills over summer break
    By Charlotte Guest
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Summer break is a welcome chance to relax, but it can also be a challenging time for students. Without regular classes over the summer, many students notice that their vocabulary, grammar and speaking confidence begin to fade: this is often called the "summer slide".. The good news is that maintaining language skills over summer break does not require hours of study each day. Small, consistent habits can help you retain what you have learned and return to your studies with confidence.

    Why language learners forget so much during summer break

    When we stop using a language regularly, our brains begin to forget information that is not being reinforced. Vocabulary becomes harder to recall, grammar rules feel less familiar and speaking confidence can decrease.

    Fortunately, language retention does not require intensive study. The key is maintaining regular contact with the language, even for just a few minutes a day.