Integrating content and language in ESP teaching

Abstract

This paper presents and describes an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) course designed for second year forestry students using the principles of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL). Starting with a theoretical overview of what CLIL stands for, the discussion continues with a presentation of the ESP course aimed at the efficient acquisition of the target language and of the content knowledge represented by specialized terminology. Examples of activities that engage the four language skills, i.e. reading, listening, speaking, and writing, are also provided before the concluding remarks, which reveal some advantages and limitations of applying the CLIL strategy in teaching ESP.