MCAST creates language learning through content project

MCAST has recently participated in a project whereby it created and developed scenarios for primary and vocational educators to demonstrate the CLIL approach and methodology to language learning through content.

The MCAST team at the Electrical and Electronics Engineering within the Engineering and Transport Institute developed 10 vocational scenarios which have been translated into Maltese. There are in fact, a total of 54 on the Clil4u website, 27 for primary and secondary schools in Spanish, Italian and English and a further 27 for vocational colleges mainly in English and Danish with two Italian.

All scenarios follow the same format, an introductory PowerPoint, curriculum links, lesson plans, activities and links to external resources such as You Tube and worksheets. These resources are supplemented by advisory materials for parents, educators and an online pre-course designed to help teachers build their English skills and a 40-hour teacher training course. At present, course participants would get a certificate of participation/attendance, but MCAST is working upon getting the course accredited.

The videos are structured to highlight the CLIL approach and demonstrate how effective teach- ing a language through content can be for the learner. We feel this approach is particularly pertinent to the Maltese educator because we are a bilingual society. We have begun to see a decline in competence in either one or both languages in Malta and our team feels strongly that the CLIL approach is an empowering tool for educators.

It is also important to note that the Clil4u project website is linked to other language websites of the coordinating organisation including Methods, which the MCAST team also participated in. The website hosts a wealth of resources including free downloadable guide books for CLIL and five different teaching Methods all translated into Maltese. There are three promotional videos, a regularly uploaded blog, a link to the online course and some advisory materials for parents. The response so far has been more than satisfactory.

A video was produced by our German partner SUPSI and included a lesson taught by Ing. Luana Chetcuti to a L2 Electrical Engineering class. Using the CLIL approach Ms Chetcuti was able to introduce technical vocabulary and use it to provide practical meaning to the words. Ms Chetcuti found the approach to integrating electronics content with language learning successful. English language was used throughout the session which helped students to learn about the electronic circuit under test while practising and using English. Moreover, prompt feedback from students about their work, including peer evaluation were done in English.

The MCAST team is also responsible for disseminating CLIL to educators and administrators. We have successfully addressed the Learning Support Unit department and some members of the vocational lecturers at the Institute among many others. It is our hope to be able to introduce CLIL to all MCAST lecturers to provide them with this valuable