 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
CLIL at Tile Hill Wood School and Language College 
Video clips
View some of the good practice described below in the case study. You will see a CLIL classroom in action and hear about how CLIL can raise students’ achievement in the foreign language without having any adverse effect on the main subject of study
'The immersion programme (CLIL) has been one of the most exciting developments in our school - for students and for staff. Following a very successful pilot programme, we were so impressed with the outcomes both in terms of student achievement and staff CPD, that we took the decision to incorporate an immersion element into our KS3 curriculum entitlement. The programme has something to offer to every student, including the less able for whom the simplification of the topics has provided a 'scaffold' for raising attainment. Gifted and talented students thrive on the additional challenge and make exceptionally good progress. For staff, the opportunity to share ideas and pedagogy across the traditional subject areas has been inspiring, and non-linguists have relished the personal and professional development opportunities. Our success is due to the commitment and perseverance of a talented team of staff, together with an inclusive approach that has ensured the sustainability of the programme.' Jo Shirlaw, Headteacher
Context
Tile Hill Wood School & Language College is an 11-18 girls’ comprehensive with approximately 1400 pupils on roll. Standards at the school are good. Pupil intake is broadly average. The school gained Language College status in 1998 and was designated a High Performing Specialist School, therefore taking up a second specialism in vocational education. The Language College status has had a direct impact on attainment across the school and standards in MFL are high.
Key objectives
To enhance the teaching of other subjects in the curriculum by introducing modules of work in Science, Geography, PSHE and Maths delivered through the medium of French.
'Teaching PSHE and Geography through French has been the highlight of my teaching career. It has made me reflect on the importance of teaching languages as a means, not as an end. I have reshaped my practice in the light of this experience and I have strived to incorporate bilingual teaching techniques in my lessons. I feel that students who are taught a subject through the medium of a foreign language are more engaged and more independent, whether they are high achievers or lower ability students.' Isabelle Schafer, Teacher of French
How the programme is organised
All pupils in Year 7 have an entitlement to CLIL. Each mixed ability tutor group of approximately 30 pupils receives one of their subjects taught through the medium of French. Currently in Year 7 pupils are taught one of the following; science, geography, PSHE, modules in maths/music. The subjects are taught by subject specialists through French with an additional input from French teachers on a weekly basis, when one of the timetabled French lessons is devoted to teaching the content subject.
'CLIL has increased my confidence in using French. It has made my teaching more active and more visual.' Pat Richards, teacher of Science
Short video clips from Tile Hill Wood School and Language College show the CLIL course in action. Pupils in the lessons that were filmed are following the same Scheme of Work as those doing science/geography through English. Pupils are also learning French. The French Year 7 Scheme of Work has been modified in light of the CLIL work. The resources are created by the teachers.
Results/effect
At the end of Year 7 pupils are able to achieve NC Level 5+ in the different skills in French. In the content subject pupils achieve in line with their predictions. Lower-ability pupils exceed their end of Year 7 predictions. They develop better listening skills and gain confidence through the teaching techniques. There are clear benefits on transferable skills, with pupils becoming more confident problem-solvers and risk takers. There is evidence that pupils who have been involved in CLIL have used these skills effectively across the curriculum. There is also the positive impact on the international dimension of the school with non-linguist teachers providing pupils with excellent role models.
Teachers have gained immensely from the CLIL work. Working collaboratively has produced high quality teaching and learning. Subject teachers have gained confidence in their ability to use a foreign language. Each teacher has developed new teaching styles, resources and strategies. Subject teachers have been required to consider carefully what they are teaching, what pupils need to know and how they can deliver this through a foreign language. Language teachers have enjoyed introducing challenging concepts into their language lessons. Productive links have been established abroad, the most successful being the link with La Réunion. These links are subject specific and complement the CLIL work.
The school has gained national recognition for its CLIL work. In 2006 the school won the European Award for Languages, combined with the Mary Glasgow Award. The work of the Language College and in particular CLIL was highly commended in a recent Ofsted inspection. National links have been strengthened and the school has have also become involved in a CLIL teaching training partnership with Lorraine, France, hosting French teacher trainees this year for the first time. In addition the international dimension of the school has been significantly enhanced.
Resources
Here are a range of French resources produced by staff at Tile Hill Wood which they use for their CLIL programme.
1) Resource for Mathematics: Archimedes PowerPoint (ppt, KB)
2) Resources for PSHCE:
- Introductory sheet (doc, 411KB)
- sheet on bullying (doc, 345KB)
- PowerPoint on smoking (ppt, 2.26MB)
- PowerPoint on animals (ppt, 237KB)
3) Resources for Science:
- PowerPoint on Solids, liquids and gases (ppt, 187KB)
- PowerPoint on fossil fuels (ppt, 1.09MB)
- PowerPoint on signs and symbols (ppt, 246KB)
4) Resource for Geography: PowerPoint on agriculture in Brittany (ppt, 1.11MB)
Future developments
It is planned that CLIL should remain an entitlement in Year 7 for all pupils. We will continue to build capacity amongst our teaching staff and branch into new subject areas as appropriate in order to ensure a sustainable model for the school.
Author: Anastasia Neofitou, Curriculum Leader for MFL
