Content-based Language Teaching combines the strengths of meaningful content to language instruction. However, there are many approaches and perspectives. Video presentation before the 1st International Conference on Linguistics & Language Teaching (Nov 25,26,27 2013). Bahawalpur, Pakistan November 27th. YouTube video including this powerpoint at http://youtu.be/7agmW-Fi4sw

1. Using “Content”
for Language
Learning
Robert J. Dickey, MPA JD
Keimyung University
Daegu, S. Korea
Past President, Korea TESOL

2. a starting point …
• “Prescriptive” vs. “Descriptive”
• “Theory-driven” vs. “Reality-based”
• For classrooms
“where a commitment has been made to
content learning as well as language
learning.”

3. (sigh)
Language Teaching Investigators are
NOT
Semanticists

4. by many names …
Content-based Instruction (CBI)
Content-based Language Instruction
Integration of Content and Language (content & language, ICL)
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)
Content-enriched / Content-focused / Content-centered / Content-driven
Content-sensitive / Content-oriented / Content-infused
Theme-based / Topic-based / Discipline-based
Sheltered Subject Matter Teaching
Dual-focused Language Instruction
Teaching (Content) Through English / Teaching Through Foreign Languages
Bilingual Integration of Languages and Disciplines (BILD)
Immersion / Foreign Language Immersion Program (FLIP)
English Across the Curriculum / Foreign Languages Across the Curriculum (FLAC)
Enhanced Second Language Learning / Extended Language Instruction
Learning with Languages / Learning through an additional language
Integrated Curriculum
Bridge Program
Cross-Curricular Teaching
Interdisciplinary Teaching
Four-handed foreign language instruction
Learning skills based ELT / ESP
Applied Languages

5. General Aims
• “Killing two birds with one stone”
• “Learning by Doing”
• “Language in Context”
“not talking about language, but using
language to learn language and
content”

6. … or …
Brumfit (1979)
“Learning to communicate, or
Communicating to learn?”
* using content to learn language, or
using language to learn content ???

7. Subject-matter & language
Subject-matter
Class (History)
Subject-matter
Class (History)
Language Class
(English)
Language Class
(English)

9. Where’s the focus?

10. Cognitive Load

14. nd
a
s h re
gli tu
En era
Lit
To
th pic
e
ne s in
ws
pa
p
er
ath sh
g M ngli
hin h E
c
ea oug
T r
Th
ing
m
im
Sw

17. Contents in the Literature
Art History /Adjunct (Japan)
History of Western Art (Japan)
Film (Hong Kong)
cartoons (Korea)
Business/Accounting case-study
(Hong Kong)
Tourism/Cultural Assets (Korea)
Theological Studies (Japan)
(Korea)
Conversation (Japan)
General English (reading)
(Japan)
HS Literature (Malaysia)
HS Math (Malaysia)
HS Science (Malaysia)
Law/Legal Writing (Hong Kong)
Sociology (Korea, Indonesia)
cartoons (Korea)
Political Science, Sociology
/Adjunct (Japan)
Psychology (Japan) (Korea)
Pre-Science (Malaysia)
Natural Science (Japan)
Topics in the History of Science
(Malaysia)
Western Civilization (Japan)
American History (Japan)
Literature (Japan)
Linguistics (Japan)

18. Methods & Approaches
• does not dictate teaching techniques:
– works well with Task-based, as well as
with the more teacher-centered systems
– probably all “methods” can and have
used a content-based syllabus at one
time or another
• does not dictate medium of
instruction:
– distance learning
– CALL/video/audio/other

19. How?
• A framework for course development
(single hour, or full-term planning)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Identify the specific course and group of
students to teach.
Identify the content to be utilized.
Identify why the students should care!
Identify the specific “teaching point(s).”
Develop/locate an exemplar text.
Design student responses to the text.

20. • See this video from my channel at
www.youtube.com/user/rjdickey/
• See this powerpoint at Slideshare
www.slideshare.net/RobertDickey/Bahawalpur
• Supplementary article available at
www.content-english.org/data/dickey-ei.pdf
Email me: rjdickey@content-english.org