About CLICL from Catalonia

Re: Content and language Integrated Learning by Joan Baptista - dilluns, 23 novembre 2009
						Yes, a SHORT comment... on CLICL. Uffff..... Well, in fact I think I could be writing lines and lines... What do I think? Well, I think it's a really interesting idea; realistic, already implemented in extremely different contexts, and certainly profitable wherever it has been approached and developed. Can somebody describe any "failure" or "side effects" of bilingual programs (related to the introduction of English language) anywhere in the world? Of course that the way it's made can be improved, but I think it's a really necessary approach now and here. Best subject? Well, I don't think I have criteria enough as to give an opinion on my particular school; but I don't think "Arts and Crafts", for example, is at all the best option. Natural and Social Sciences, even Mathematics, would be subjects that could give good results. Approaches related to ICT -Infomation and Comunication Technology- could be very productive, too. Music and Physical Education could be an excellent complement to Science/"TIC". But I don't think the question is "the subject", but HOW a real bilingual context is created from the very beginning of the arrival of children to the school, and how it all is linked to the academic and social linguistic necessities they are going to experiment. Would I like to be engaged in a project like this? Of course; however, how can we know about offers, projects, and initiatives; or, more than that, how can we have any initiative on that? And is consistent the whole approach of the "project"? Because some "projects" in this field, in some contexts, have been understood as a cheap way of introducing the teaching of English language in critical educational stages... with not much "scaffolding"... :-( Questions and concerns, many! Although our SOCIOLINGUISTIC SITUATION here in Catalonia is ambiguous, and could take us to think that the introduction of English could be "problematic", personally I think it all should be considered as an advantage and "alhora" a necessity. About our CLEAR DELAY [+] -backwardness, maybe?- I think again that it could become an advantage if we deeply analize and improve our neighbours' experience. [+] [problemes] CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS should be based in other than the Angloamerican culture: English is spoken as a second language in Asia and Africa, and the strategic use as LINGUA FRANCA shouldn't take us to focus on the anglo-american cultural particularities. REJECTION against the new proposals: by the families? By some professionals of Education? [+] Some generations already educated in German, Italian, French... in Barcelona, València, etc, are a clear example that the approach is just apparently "new" and that it "functions" in specific contexts. [+] Just a question of resources, perhaps. [+] Or the word is "Convenio"? [+] I hope our educative system avoids creating A "LINGUISTIC DIVIDE": those skillfull in the three languages, and those not lucky enough as to get those skills/competence through the educative system -generally, because of their social [+] background.[+] Joan B [+] [+]