An innovative, competency-based international CLIL project: are you brave enough?

Abstract

One of the educational challenges we need to face in our hyper-connected world is the need for learning in an authentic, international and integrated environment (OECD 2017a). Student international exchanges (both virtual and face-to-face mobility), have become one of the training experiences most appreciated by enterprises. Academic learning, acquired in contexts other than the usual school and university environment is in demand. Plurilingual, intercultural and adaptive knowledge provided by travelling to other societies and cultures is considered useful in the work place. These experiences reproduce integrated and integrative approaches, based on collaborative methodologies and active learning, such as PBL (Project Based Learning), CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning), and Problem Solving Based Learning (PSBL). In this article, we propose practical orientations to initiate, carry out and complete quality projects. We also provide elements of reflection for planning, developing and evaluating international education projects, with or without student or teacher mobility.