Content-Based Language Teaching and Academic Language Development

Abstract

Content-based language teaching is an approach to the teaching of second/foreign languages in which language and content are integrated in instruction. This chapter focuses on the nexus between content-based instruction (CBI) and the teaching of academic language (AL) in school-based CBI programs. It starts with a discussion of models of CBI; and focuses on an examination of AL and the challenges of integrating language and content in CBI settings. The chapter also focuses on the ways in which learners acquire the language needed to access and master content in school-based CBI programs, in both second and foreign language settings. The design of objectives continues to receive attention in the literature as a viable way to help teachers integrate language and content instruction. The important work on models designed to better prepare teachers at all educational levels for the interface of language and content reveal significant insights into the teaching-learning process and should help make the challenges more manageable for teachers.