The Impact of ICT and Games Based Learning on Content and Language Integrated Learning

Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) as a form of bilingual education has become very
popular over recent years [1]. From research conducted in Europe it appears that CLIL provision in its
different types is present in the vast majority of European countries, with the exception of only six [1].
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is a dual-focused educational approach in which
an additional language is used for the learning and teaching of both content and language with each
being interwoven [2].
From research conducted recently by the authors among the 238 CLIL teachers and practitioners in
more than thirty (mostly European) countries, it was found that ICT and games based learning in
particular is already widely used in this area. However, there were also numerous instances of CLIL
teachers recognising the benefits of using ICT and games based learning whilst at the same time
identifying a number of key barriers and challenges that made it difficult for them to adopt such
technologies.
This paper will examine how Information and Communication Technologies can enhance the process
of learning both language and non language subjects integrated in CLIL, as well as identifying the
problems that many CLIL teachers potentially face. The paper will make a number of
recommendations that can be implemented in order to make it easier for CLIL teachers to more
widely adopt ICT and games based learning in their teaching.