CLIL: Content and Language Integrated Learning

Teach your subject. Develop language. Do both at once.

Inclusion and DiversityParticipation in Democratic LifeErasmus+ KA1 Eligible

About This Course

Content and Language Integrated Learning, CLIL, refers to teaching curriculum subjects in a language other than the learner's first language, developing both subject knowledge and language competence simultaneously. It is now widespread across European education systems and is a central tool of the European Education Area's vision of a multilingual Europe.

This course gives education professionals a thorough, practical and up-to-date grounding in CLIL methodology. Participants explore the linguistic and pedagogical principles underpinning CLIL, develop practical techniques for teaching their subject effectively in a second language, and design CLIL-adapted materials and lessons ready to use in their own classrooms.

The course is aligned with the EU language education agenda, the European Language Portfolio and the Erasmus+ priorities of Inclusion and Diversity and Participation in Democratic Life.

Who Should Attend

  • Teachers who deliver subjects in a language other than their students' first language
  • Language teachers collaborating with subject teachers on CLIL
  • School leaders developing bilingual programmes
  • Teachers in multilingual schools
  • Minimum B2 level in the target language recommended

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course participants will be able to:

  • Explain the principles of CLIL and the four Cs framework: Content, Communication, Cognition and Culture.

    The four Cs framework is the conceptual foundation of CLIL. Understanding how content, communication, cognition and culture interact is the key to effective CLIL design that develops both subject knowledge and language competence genuinely and simultaneously.

  • Design CLIL lessons that develop both subject knowledge and language competence simultaneously.

    The most common mistake in CLIL is teaching a subject in a second language without scaffolding the language. You will design lessons where language and content are genuinely integrated and where neither is sacrificed for the other.

  • Apply language scaffolding techniques to make content accessible to learners at different language levels.

    CLIL classrooms often contain students with a wide range of language proficiency. You will have scaffolding techniques including visual supports, graphic organisers, sentence frames and vocabulary instruction that make content accessible without removing the cognitive challenge.

    Inclusion and DiversityEuropean Language Portfolio
  • Develop and evaluate CLIL materials appropriate for your subject area and student language level.

    You will leave with a set of CLIL-adapted materials for your own subject area developed during the course, plus a clear process for creating more materials efficiently after you return.

A 7-Day Professional Development Experience

Five days of intensive training with a structured arrival day and cultural excursion. We tailor every programme to your institution's needs.

Day 1
Sunday - Arrival and Welcome

Participants arrive and are welcomed by the Sude Nexus local team. Welcome dinner and orientation walk.

Day 2
Monday - CLIL Theory and Principles
MorningWhat CLIL is and why it matters. The four Cs framework and its practical implications. Overview of CLIL research from across Europe.
AfternoonThe language demands of your subject: analysing academic vocabulary, discourse structures and cognitive language functions.
Day 3
Tuesday - CLIL Pedagogy in Practice
MorningLanguage scaffolding techniques: visual supports, graphic organisers, sentence frames and vocabulary instruction.
AfternoonDesigning CLIL activities using the four Cs framework. Participants design their first CLIL lesson.
Day 4
Wednesday - Materials Development and Assessment
MorningAdapting existing materials for CLIL: making content linguistically accessible without reducing cognitive challenge.
AfternoonAssessing CLIL: principles and tools for fair assessment of both language and content.
Day 5
Thursday - Completing Your CLIL Unit
MorningParticipants complete and peer-review their CLIL materials and unit design.
AfternoonAction planning and farewell dinner.
Day 6
Friday - Action Planning
MorningPersonal and institutional action planning.
AfternoonPresentations, certificates and farewell dinner.
Day 7
Saturday - Cultural Excursion and Departure

Guided cultural excursion. Departure at convenience.

This outline is a starting point. Contact us to discuss how we can tailor this programme for your institution.

EU Policy Alignment

Erasmus+ 2026 Horizontal Priorities

EU Competence Frameworks

EU Policy Initiatives

European Language PortfolioEuropean Education Area 2021 to 2030Council of Europe CEFR
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Available Locations and Dates

Available across all 13 Sude Nexus destinations.

Check Dates and Availability

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