Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)

At the recent ECML project network meeting  in Graz, the team introduced a new layer of the Pluriliteracies for Global Citizenship approach — the 4Rs Framework: Reading, Repositioning, Reflecting, and Responding.

Building on the theoretical foundations of Beyond CLIL, the 4Rs Framework translates pluriliteracies principles into concrete classroom design. Each “R” represents a distinct literacy practice:

• Reading across multilingual and plurimodal texts;
• Repositioning through multiperspectival inquiry;
• Reflecting with epistemic humility and empathy; 
• Responding through dialogue and responsible action.

Together, these practices form spirals of deeper learning, enabling language learners to connect conceptual, linguistic, and citizenship growth.

To make the framework teachable and observable, the project introduced three complementary tools:

1. Deeper Learning Episodes (DLEs) – design units that structure progression from activation to transfer;
2. Ten Principles of Task Fidelity – guidelines for ensuring relevance, scaffolding, and feedback;
3. Revised Guiding Questions for Teachers and Learners – prompts that translate design principles into classroom dialogue.

Alongside these tools, the team also presented a first version of descriptor bands for each of the 4Rs. The team will be assisted by world-renowned expert Prof. Francisco Lorenzo who presented the first research results conducted within the COST-project CLIL Network for Languages in Education: Towards bi- and multilingual disciplinary literacies (CLILNetLE).

These descriptors provide a formative assessment tool for observing and supporting learners’ development of pluriliteracies in the languages classroom, helping teachers trace progression and give feedback across Reading, Repositioning, Reflecting, and Responding.
Participants provided constructive and highly valuable feedback and input, helping the team fine-tune both the framework and its tools so that they better reflect diverse teaching contexts.

By linking theory and practice, the 4Rs Framework supports teachers in breaking down classroom walls — connecting learning with global and local realities and affirming the languages classroom as a space where global citizenship is not only discussed but practised.

Authors: PlurlitCit team

• ECML project “Pluriliteracies for global citizenship – Deeper learning in the foreign language classroom” (2024-2027): www.ecml.at/deeperlearning
• See also: Pluriliteracies for global citizenship (working paper) and video testimonials of network participants

In early June, the University of Iceland hosted a dynamic ECML Training and consultancy event on “Beyond CLIL – Pluriliteracies Teaching for Deeper Learning” bringing together educators, student teachers and teacher educators committed to deepening learning through integrated language and content teaching. Led by ECML experts, the workshop offered hands-on strategies for designing learning sequences that support the development of both subject knowledge and language competences, with a strong focus on learner agency, multimodal meaning-making and transferability.

The event provided participants with tools to rethink their practice and beliefs through the lens of the Pluriliteracies framework, fostering collaboration across disciplines and languages. Feedback from participants was enthusiastic, highlighting the relevance of the approach in multilingual classrooms and the value of sharing practice across contexts.

This initiative was part of the ECML’s Training and consultancy programme, which offers tailored support to member states on key educational themes. If you are looking to transform your teaching and professional culture, we can warmly encourage you to explore this opportunity. Learn more about how to host an event: https://www.ecml.at/TrainingConsultancy.

Author: Caterina Poggi, local organiser, University of Iceland

• Further information about the ECML training and consultancy offer for member states: "Beyond CLIL – Pluriliteracies teaching for deeper learning"

Icelandic version:

Beyond CLIL vinnustofa: Innblástur til breytinga í fjöltyngdum bekkjum

Í byrjun júní stóð Háskóli Íslands fyrir vinnustofu á vegum ECML um efnið „Beyond CLIL – Pluriliteracies Teaching for Deeper Learning“. Vinnustofuna sóttu kennarar, kennaranemar og leiðsagnarkennarar sem deila áhuga á að dýpka nám með samþættingu tungumáls og efnis. Vinnustofan var leidd af sérfræðingum ECML og bauð upp á hagnýtar leiðir til að skipuleggja kennslu sem styrkir bæði þekkingu á viðfangsefnum og málfærni, með áherslu á virkni nemenda, fjölbreytta merkingarsköpun og yfirfæranleika þekkingar.

Viðburðurinn gaf þátttakendum tækifæri til að endurskoða eigið starf og fagleg viðhorf í ljósi Pluriliteracies-rammans og hvatti til samstarfs þvert á greinar og tungumál. Ánægja þátttakenda kom skýrt fram í endurgjöf, þar sem fram kom hversu vel nálgunin nýtist í fjöltyngdu kennsluumhverfi og hversu dýrmætt það er að deila reynslu með öðrum.

Þessi vinnustofa var hluti af þjónustu ECML, sem býður aðildarríkjum upp á sérsniðinn stuðning á sviði tungumálanáms og kennslu. Ef þú vilt breyta kennsluháttum og fagmenningu í þínu kennsluumhveri hvet ég þig eindregið til að skoða þessa þjónustu nánar.

Nánari upplýsingar um hvernig hægt er að skipuleggja slíka viðburði með aðstoð ECML: https://www.ecml.at/TrainingConsultancy

Τhe Training and consultancy event "Beyond CLIL: Pluriliteracies teaching for deeper learning",  was organised by the European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML) of the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Regional Directorate of Primary and Secondary Education of Peloponnese and the Ministry of Education, Sports and Religious Affairs of Greece.

It took place on 3-4 April 2025 in Korinthos, Greece and was attended by 35 participants: 17 education advisors of various subjects and 18 school principals of pre-school, primary and secondary level school units.

The principles of the CLIL approach and the Deep Learning procedures were introduced by the ECML expert, Kevin Schuck, who involved the mixed group of participants in a series of hands-on activities conducted in a creative and cooperative climate.

The event closed with the participants’ commitment to participate in dissemination events with the aim of creating new material and building a larger network. It is hoped that this ECML Training and consultancy event marks the beginning of future collaborations and similar participatory training activities for educators who strive to enhance their pedagogical practices and promote a more meaningful and profound learning experience for their students.

Dr Urania Sarri, local organiser

• More information about the ECML training and consultancy offer for member states: "Beyond CLIL – Pluriliteracies teaching for deeper learning"