CLIL AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION

 

We are living in a world where content knowledge, communication, cognitive skills, and culture are key for every citizen. Therefore, all students are in need of opportunities that help them develop the aforementioned.   Why am I starting this blog entry like this? Well, I would like to do my bit and contribute to debunk the idea that CLIL is elitist. As a matter of fact,  CLIL seems to  curb the influence of students’ SES (Socioeconomic status)  on their language learning and motivation, thus creating a more inclusive learning context.

I am aware that the only way to shed some light into the question of whether CLIL  is at odds with inclusion or not is through empirical evidence so I have decided to share the latest research on the issue with the readers of this blog. That is why today I would like to recommend this article by  Professor María Luisa Pérez Cañado: "CLIL and elitism: myth or reality?", in The Language Learning Journal. No doubt her thorough research will toss  most common fears aside. 

Apart from latest research on the topic, experts on the field of CLIL and inclusive education are offering webinars to let teachers know about the way to develop good  CLIL practice for all learners. This is the case  with  a  webinar  organized by Pearson: "the 4 C's of CLIL with Inclusion in Mind ". On November 24th and 25th Jennifer Schmidt will provide participants with suggestions on how ALL students can improve language and cognitive skills through CLIL. You can read the objectives of the webinar and register here.

From these lines, my most heartfelt thanks to Maria Luisa Pérez Cañado and Jennifer Schmidt  for their invaluable contribution to such a crucial matter  as Inclusive Education is .