Content and Language Integrated Learning

The figure illustrates a Venn diagram showing the integration of the Content-based Instruction and the Second Language Teaching. It assists students to identify the link between ideas and processes within separate fields.

            It’s my third year of teaching language. I believe that Content Based Instruction (CBI) has always been integrated with Second Language Teaching (SLT). I’ve always used different contents in order to sustain the interests of my students and at the same time, teach them the second language.

            According to Ticko (1985), Language Across Curriculum (LAC) is easier for primary school teachers because they are mostly self-contained. In most cases, they teach all the subjects for their class. They tend to feel more responsible to use the LAC. On the other hand, language teaching becomes the responsibility of the language teacher during their secondary school. The teachers of other subjects feel that they are not qualified to integrate other fields in their subject.

            I think it’s about time that the 21^st century teachers should integrate second language teaching in their subject. Maybe the reason why teachers have to take the general education exam in the LET is to know if the teachers have the capabilities to have understanding in different fields.

            Moreover, language teachers should keep in mind that the absence of meaningful content is a danger in many communicative learning programs. Students must be exposed to a meaningful content in order to not only improve their basic interpersonal communication skills (BICS) but also their cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP). 

            In conclusion, I believe that if language teachers and non-language teachers will really have a better coordination and collaboration, the students will be able to improve their BICS and CALP.

             As a student, I really believe that being exposed to multidisciplinary approach in learning the second language teaching will really broaden my horizon. It will help me develop my full potential in the mastery of using second language in different content areas.