A common complaint from those who suffered through baffling and boring foreign language classes in high school or college is that they later can’t remember any of it. Despite all the struggles and sometimes years of work, the end result was like they’d really never been in the class at all. At some point in time, they could likely have given a basic presentation in German or completed verb conjugation exercises in Spanish, but once the class was finished, those once-budding skills in the second language (L2) evaporated.
One of the main causes of this phenomenon is that almost all of the learning was compartmentalized as a school subject and never applied to day-to-day life or other subjects besides the language itself You could pass the class by cramming for vocab exams and then memorizing a presentation, but the material was never really integrated into your brain because it was always viewed as something “foreign. True language mastery requires a much more comprehensive approach, and one such educational philosophy is known as Content-Based Language Teaching (CBLT).
Unlike standard French or German classes, CBLT entails studying real-world topics and school subjects in that language – studying Art History in French, studying Engineering in German, etc At more elementary levels, it means native Spanish speakers having their Science and Social Studies classes in English.
A common initial reaction to this idea is – “Well, that sounds fine and dandy, but how am I going to understand the Art or Social Studies parts if I don’t know the language? That is a valid question, and that issue is precisely what makes CBLT such a difficult, yet rewarding language learning option. Students are simultaneously learning not one but two subjects (the L2 and the additional component). It’s twice as taxing, but students emerge with twice the knowledge. If properly orchestrated, a CBLT program provides a truly immersive experience that fosters basic language skills plus important learning in Math, Art, Humanities, etc
This two-pronged approach is generally employed in more intensive and bilingual programs, from preschool to postgraduate studies. Students will receive significant exposure to the L2 while studying other topics, and it is this all-encompassing and immersive approach that leads to real, enduring language acquisition
Typical Lesson
5th grade Science class in English for native Mandarin speakers
Topic: Space exploration and extraterrestrials
- Warm-Up
The teacher shows images or a video of the universe while presenting basic vocabulary like planet, spaceship, moon, astronaut, alien, and outer space.
- Think-Pair-Share
On the board, the teacher writes several space-related questions. Students pair up and discuss questions in English.
Sample Questions:
- Do you believe in aliens?
- Does anyone have real evidence of aliens?
- If aliens exist, do you think they would be friendly or scary?
- Would they live close to Earth or far away?
- How do you think they travel?
- Regroup
Once all the pairs have finished their discussions, the class regroups and the teacher goes over each individual question, asking for volunteers to answer.
- Art Attack
On a blank sheet of paper, students use reference materials to draw a map of our solar system with its eight planets accurately labeled. On the back, students draw what they imagine an alien might look like.
- Wrap-Up
The teacher reviews several student maps and drawings with the class, purposefully using the previous vocabulary words as much as possible to reinforce the learning.
Role of the Teacher
CBLT requires dedicated and knowledgeable teachers who can balance the language needs with the content requirements. Fluency in the language is a must, as is either knowledge or willingness to learn about the complementary areas such as Math or Science. What’s more, the teacher must not only understand those subjects, but know how to properly teach them, as methodologies typically vary from standard language instruction.
Positives
- There is a wide range of interesting subject matter, not just grammar/pronunciation type classes.
- Students acquire information that can be used in real life.
- The variety and challenge help keep students interested and motivated
Negatives
- The foreign language learner may end up with knowledge gaps or poor writing skills in the language itself.
- Rather than enjoying the wide range of content, students may simply feel overwhelmed, especially at lower levels and younger ages.
Final Thoughts
The CBLT methodology provides lasting real-world language skills, but cess does not come easy. Students and teachers are essentially doing double duty with language learning and an additional subject. At younger ages, CBLT is usually employed in bilingual schools with immersive programs. For older learners, it is best suited for those who are looking to learn the language while also obtaining skills that can be used in their professional and educational careers
