CLIL Approach in Primary Education: Learning about Byzantine Art and Culture through a Foreign Language

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is to provide insights into experimental research on Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) for developing English as a Foreign Language (EFL) skills and aspects of Byzantine history and culture in the context of Greek primary education. It aims at a) developing a CLIL project with a focus on Byzantine and post Byzantine history and culture for 6^th primary school students; b) investigating the effects of CLIL on students’ skills performance after a total of 30 teaching sessions intervention; c) identifying whether CLIL instruction develops a more positive attitude towards FL and content learning. A multimodal and multisensory learning environment was created in order to support and enhance language skills and content knowledge. In such a context, students were encouraged to use language creatively through getting involved in communicative, problem-solving and inquiry-based activities. The positive effects of the project were indicated, particularly on students’ communicative skills. Also gains were recorded in relation to students’ enhancement of content knowledge and skills, as well their positive attitude towards FL and content learning.