Discover the power of Content and Language Integrated Learning with Academic Summer
The summer is almost here and students from over 50 nationalities will join us for our unique Content and Language Integrated Learning programme across five different venues. Some students come to improve their English skills while others are keen to sample new subjects as they consider their career path. Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) enables students to do both at the same time, in an exciting academic adventure!
There are many ways to learn a foreign language, but we have embraced CLIL because it works so well. Academic Summer Ltd was the first to introduce multiple subjects in UK summer schools and are pleased to be a forerunner in Content and Language Integrated Learning.
What is Content and Language Integrated Learning?
CLIL is a relatively new educational approach that focuses on teaching both subject and language simultaneously. It was devised in 1994 by David Marsh who is an internationally renowned expert on educational innovation, strategy and practice, based in Finland.
According to the British Council, Content and Language Integrated Learning “has become the umbrella term describing both learning another (content) subject such as physics or geography through the medium of a foreign language and learning a foreign language by studying a content-based subject.”
Content and Language Integrated Learning at Academic Summer
In a nutshell we seamlessly integrate academic content and language development into our Summer Camps to help students improve their English proficiency as an international language while preparing for their future in an AI-driven world. Our camps are mostly in the UK giving students an ideal opportunity to experience British education / prepare for, GCSE, A Levels and IB. We also offer a Summer Camp in Canada as an option.
Our use of the proven CLIL methodology enables us to deliver summer camps for children 7-17 with a diverse itinerary that: unlocks potential; elevates creativity; develops problem-solving skills; raises ethical awareness; builds emotional intelligence; encourages teamwork; and fosters critical thinking.
Academic Summer Principal, Vincent Smidovicz weighs in on what CLIL means to him. Originally a teacher of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) he realised in 2010 that a new approach was needed as English was increasingly becoming the lingua franca across the globe. “I stopped being a teacher of EFL because English stopped being a foreign language!” he says.
Vincent now views every child of the 21st Century as a native speaker of English as an International language and recognises the power of teaching English through content subjects as well as teaching content subjects through English.
“A new philosophy needs a new methodology and we chose CLIL.” Vincent explains.
Our Academic Manager, Dr Diedre Balcytyte believes Content and Language Integrated Learning is a transformative approach. “CLIL stands as a beacon of holistic learning embracing the 4 Cs – Cognition, Culture, Communication and Content. So, we are not just teaching English as a foreign language, we are shaping well rounded individuals who excel academically and thrive in a multicultural world.
“The 4 Cs provide a comprehensive framework that propels our students for success in an interconnected global society. At Academic Camps we are dedicated to fostering an environment where the principles of CLIL are embedded in all our teaching practices. We are not just preparing students for the future. We are preparing leaders who understand, respect and contribute meaningfully to our diverse world.
Helen Lami, Academic Summer CEO shares her CLIL journey
Prior to starting Academic Summer, Helen Lami embarked on her own fascinating journey of language acquisition, when she went on a mission trip to Albania, aged 22. This led her to becoming fluent in Albanian and igniting a passion to help others master a new language.
This transformative experience led Helen to pursue an MA in Education where she delved into the realms of Content Language and Integrated Learning, planting the seeds for what would blossom into the thriving entity we now know as Academic Summer.
In an article entitled Tips For Learning A Language, Helen shares her experience of learning a foreign language and how she became fluent in Albanian. “Learning a language is a key skill for life and something which I believe everyone has the capacity to do,” she says. “It’s simply a question of finding the right way for you.”
Today Helen and the Academic Summer Team have helped hundreds of students to enhance their English skills by focusing on a subject or skill that interests and motivates them, in other words, Content and Language Integrated Learning.
“I am a huge fan of CLIL, with its four CS of content, communication, cognition and culture,” Helen continues. “This methodology is all about learning the language in the context of everything that happens around it rather than in isolation of the culture it has come from.
“Traditional learning tends to focus on technical aspects such as construction and grammar, which is important, however it’s much better to be able to communicate in a practical manner. This is why CLIL makes learning a language more satisfying. Learning is more effective when the person is engaged and having fun!”
For more about the CLIL Methodology and its 4 Cs read: Why CLIL? Unpacking Content and Language Integrated Learning. This article includes a video from our Academic Manager, Dr Diedre Balcytyte who explores the benefits of Content and Language Integrated Learning and why it is the best way to master a language.
