Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) Perspectives in a Vietnamese Undergraduate Electrical Engineering Course

Abstract

Under country-wide initiatives such as the Higher Engineering Education Alliance Project (HEEAP), the University of Science and Technology in the University of Da Nang has been implementing active learning methods to help create an engaging and effective learning environment. In adopting English-medium instruction (EMI), lecturers were concerned about how to achieve engagement while teaching through English, and chose to apply aspects of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL). CLIL supports students to simultaneously gain knowledge of the discipline, engage in language learning, and enhance a variety of soft skills such as teamwork, project management, and presentation and communication skills. This chapter reports on one lecturer’s successful application of ‘CLIL-ised’ methods in an Electrical Engineering course. The chapter presents some of the activities and pedagogical practices that were designed to support both EMI and active learning for these students. It shows how using CLIL-ised methods has supported adaptation of the program to the Vietnamese context and enabled students to hone their critical thinking skills, design thinking skills, and collaboration skills to promote positive attitudes towards language learning, as well as developing their English skills to prepare them for their capstone project with industry in their final year. It is concluded that CLIL-ised methods present a powerful pathway for moving forward pedagogically with EMI in Vietnamese universities.