CLIL4ALL Final Conference at TH Wildau: Exploring Innovation in Multilingual Education
The CLIL4ALL Final Conference, held at TH Wildau on 2–3 June 2025, brought together educators, researchers, and practitioners from across Europe to reflect on the outcomes of the project and to exchange perspectives on the implementation of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in higher education.
Key Contributions and Presentations
One of the central elements of the conference was the keynote by Prof. Dr. Do Coyle (University of Edinburgh), who offered a compelling analysis of several pedagogical concepts that support integrated content and language learning. Her talk provided valuable insights into how CLIL can enhance teaching practices and student engagement in multilingual learning environments.
The first day also featured a presentation by Prof. Dr. Víctor Pavón Vázquez (University of Córdoba), who shared research findings related to teaching in English-Medium Instruction (EMI) and ICLHE contexts, contributing to the broader discussion on inclusive and effective teaching strategies.
Networking and Informal Exchange
A networking dinner and cruise on the river Dahme followed the day’s sessions, offering participants an informal setting to connect and continue their discussions. This element of the programme was well received and complemented the academic focus of the event.
Perspectives from Practice and Policy
The second day of the conference began with a session on the institutional view of CLIL, led by John O’Donoghue and Dr. Carly McLaughlin from TH Wildau. Later, Ann-Katrin Biehl (University of Koblenz) presented on Dual Subject Literacy, highlighting the interplay between content learning and language development in interdisciplinary teaching.
Additional sessions featured insights from several project consortium partners, focussing on joint modules, intensive programmes, and practical examples of CLIL implementation across institutions within the scope of the CLIL4ALL project.
Conclusion
The CLIL4ALL Final Conference marked the conclusion of the project by highlighting both its academic outcomes and its practical contributions to teaching and learning in higher education. We thank all speakers, participants, and organizers for their involvement and support.
Further updates and project materials will be made available through our official channels in the coming months.
14 responses
I very much enjoyed Do Coyle’s presentation that she gave with her usual passion and conviction. As a teacher the talk was full of reminders of the things that we forget to do that make life harder for us. Are we changing our teaching as the world is changing? Especially, at third level we have a huge amount of freedom to do what we want in the classroom. Are we using this freedom or just reusing the old material because that seems the easiest thing to do? We are all in a silo, the cage we call home. What are we doing to build a bridge to other silos (content teachers)?
As language teachers are we simply teaching rules and passive imitation? Or motivating students to actively manipulate language and create new language to express new concepts?
Feedback during the semester seems a unique opportunity to grow understanding with students. Do we allow enough time for this and to listen to the feedback from students on our feedback? Feedback is a two-way street.
Another aspect of Do’s presentation was the idea of wellbeing. If students are learning they are growing in many different ways, learning is healthy. At a time when we are worried about the physical and mental health of young people, the role of learning as a health tool is a welcome contribution.
If there is one slide I would highlight it is Critical Literacy Pedagogy Slide 39. If we manage to do half of that, we are achieving so much.
Thanks to Do once again for taking the time to visit Wildau and share her inspiring insights. We hope to see her again during an International Staff Week in the near future.
John O’Donoghue