EUCLID-APPC - EUROPEAN CLIL IN DEVELOPMENT: A PRIMARY PHASE CONSORTIUM

Research into second language learning indicates the benefits of introducing languages to children at an early age. Adopting a CLIL (Content Language Integrated Learning) approach has the potential to deepen children’s cultural understanding and offer them authentic language learning opportunities. This 2 year project funded following the successful award of a Comenius grant from the Education, Audiovisual and Culture executive agency will enable teacher educators from 5 countries to further develop CLIL approaches and embed them within their teacher education programmes..

The project is undertaken to contribute to the European vision to create a European knowledge-based society (Lisbon Strategy, 2000) that is plurilingual and culturally astute (Action Plan, 2004-6). Crucial to the implementation of the Action Plan is the provision, at national levels, of a suitably qualified teaching profession to teach languages at primary level and to embed language learning in the national curricula. As European teacher educators there are clear implications for training.