Implementation Models
After piloting a variety of CLIL models, the following were selected for implementation in Cyprus primary and pre-primary education:PRE-PRIMARY EDUCATION:
In Pre-Primary Education CLIL is the approach adopted by the curriculum for the introduction of a foreign language to very young children, as it allows for the smooth integration of the foreign language into the children’s school lives and for it to be approached in a natural and child-friendly way, throughout the school day and in all subjects of the curriculum.The following three models are used in Cyprus pre-primary schools:
Model 1. CLIL showers
These are short sessions in the foreign language which can be implemented at any part of the school day and during any subject (e.g. 10 minutes during Music, P.E, Circle Time, ect) These sessions can be as short as 7-10 minutes but gradually grow longer and may grow to be as long as 30 minutes.
Model 2. Teaching a specific subject through the medium of the foreign language
Specific subjects are taught in pre-primary, such as Music, Physical Education or Maths. CLIL can be used systematically during one of these subjects, e.g. children may systematically have Physical Education through English. In this case, the foreign language is introduced gradually and then steadily takes up a larger percentage of the lesson.
Model 3. A combination of the two models above
This model incorporates both CLIL showers and CLIL subjects. The teacher can use CLIL showers at different times during the day (e.g. during free activities, in Circle Time or during a subject) but also use CLIL systematically for teaching a particular subject (e.g. Music).
PRIMARY EDUCATION:
Teaching a specific subject through the medium of the foreign languageThe model adopted in Primary Schools, involves CLIL implemented in a systematic way through a school subject which is selected at the beginning of the school year and then taught systematically through CLIL. A variety of school subjects can be chosen to be taught through CLIL. Currently CLIL is implemented in Physical Education, Health Education, Science, Art, Design and Technology, Geography and Music.
Once a school subject is chosen, the teacher will then gradually and systematically build the pupils’ competence in dealing with the specific subject. The foreign language will be gradually introduced and then steadily and carefully increased during the year to take on a significant percentage of the lesson.
