Content and language integrated learning as a means to increase students’ motivation

Abstract

The issue concerning popularisation and relevance of foreign language learning and teaching has provoked a deep interest to analyse and study the world experience of modern methods and approaches to teaching a foreign language which provide positive results. The article considers the approach of content and language integrated learning (CLIL) and peculiarities of its implementation in different countries. A brief analysis of the CLIL approach formation, the preconditions and sources of its establishments are represented. Moreover, the basic difference between CLIL and previous communicative approaches is illustrated. The article illuminates the varieties of CLIL implementation round the world. Scientific and methodological literature on the topic is reviewed. In the article, theoretical research methods are used: literature study, analysis, synthesis, and generalisation. The article points out the core principles and key requirements needed to implement the approach of content and language integrated learning successfully. The idea of a dual focus is explained: both professional and linguistic competences are developed at the same time. One of the core obstacles is knowledge evaluation, as there is no singular criterion in this concern. Scholars agree with the idea to separate marks. Therefore, a learner gets his/her mark (grade) for profession-oriented skills and linguistic ones separately. Both native and foreign languages learned within the course are correlated, the variations of their interconnection are analysed. Besides positive features, the articles analyses the main problems which a teacher may face during the lessons based on the content and language integrated learning approach. The main obstacles are as follows: lack of qualified and experienced teachers, methodological support, dissemination among social communities. The approach of content and language integrated learning is flexible and can be easily adapted to any teaching/learning/educational environment. Its variability and flexibility make it extremely popular with students. Furthermore, it tends to create a positive attitude to education and makes students more motivated.