A Blend of CLIL and Cooperative Learning Creates a Socially Constructed Learning Environment

Abstract

This pilot study highlights an educational innovation underpinned by social constructivism, and presents an approach in which Cooperative Learning in a CLIL context is used to create a socially constructed learning environment. The project was implemented in a private school with the participation of a large heterogeneous class. The approach selected in this work is based on CLIL, a pedagogical tool which integrates language and content instruction in an EFL classroom. The method agrees with the experiential constructivist model unlike the traditional behaviourist model currently used in the school where this project was carried out. A close examination of students’ performance in their reading, writing and oral tasks showed an increase in overall language achievement. In essence, learners learned how to learn, became more autonomous, self-directed and intrinsically motivated.