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Content Based Instruction

The Giving It stage of B-SLIM contains two sections; one that
describes HOW the information should be presented, and one
that describes WHAT should be presented. In the WHAT to Present
section, an important aspect is the content that is being
presented. However, the question of how the content is to be
presented in a language classroom must still be addressed. In this
section we will examine a Content-Based Instruction approach
to language teaching, and how it can be used in the classroom.
What is Content-Based Instruction (CBI)?
Content-Based Instruction is an approach to language teaching that focuses not on the
language itself, but rather on what is being taught through the language; that is, the language
becomes the medium through which something new is learned. IN the CBI approach the
student learns the TL by using it to learn sme other new content. For example by studying the
French Revolution while using the French langauge. The language being learned and used is
taught within the context of the content. The theory behind CBI is that when students are
engaged with more content, it will promote intrinsic motivation. Students will be able to use
more advanced thinking skills when learning new information and will focus less on the structure
of the language. This approach is very student-centered as it depends entirely on the students’
ability to use the language.

What can be considered ‘content’?

There are many things that can be considered ‘content’; what is important is that what is being
taught or discussed through the language not be language instruction related. Aspects of the
curriculum, discussions about current events and world cultures or even general topics of interest
are all valid ‘content’ options.

Imagine you are teaching the past tense to your students.

Brainstorm and write down 10 'content' subjects that are
related to your target language that you could use to
practice this grammar concept (i.e. Teaching about a
historical event).

How can CBI be used in the language classroom?

It is not enough to simply integrate content into the language classroom, it must be done
effectively. Stoller (2002) lists eight practices that allow for natural content integration:

1. Extended input, meaningful output, and feedback on

language and grasp of content
2. Information gathering, processing, and reporting
 3. Integrated skills (using reading, writing, speaking and
listening in natural classroom activities)
4. Task-based activities and project work, enhanced by
cooperative learning principles
5. Strategy training (to produce more metacognitively aware
strategic learners)
6. Visual support (ie. Images, graphic organizers, language
ladders etc.)
7. Contextualized grammar instruction
8. Culminating synthesis activities (knowledge is displayed in
writing and orally)

For more information click visit the website below:

http://www.carla.umn.edu/cobaltt/CBI.html

Stoller, F.L. (2002). Content-Based Second Language Instruction: What is it? TESOL. Retrieved July
7, 2009, from http://www.carla.umn.edu/cobaltt/CBI.html

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What Is Content-Based Instruction?

Have you ever tried to learn a new language? If so, how did you do it? Most people rely on the
traditional method of language instruction, which is based on translation and memorization. For
example, a student learning French might translate the English word for bread to 'pain' in French.
The idea is that the new words will be memorized over time, thus this method focuses on repetition.
An alternative to this method is content-based instruction. Content-based instruction focuses on
content rather than language. However, the goal is language instruction. Simply stated, the language
becomes a tool for learning new things instead of the topic.
For example, students might have a lesson on French cuisine. This would focus on the French diet
and would naturally introduce words such as 'pain' (bread), 'fromage,' (cheese) and 'croissant,' in a
meaningful way because the words are presented within the context of the content. This helps
students make logical connections between ideas, words and objects. Proponents of content-based
learning believe that this approach is the most effective method for language acquisition.
Now that we know what content-based instruction is, let's take a look at an example of it for
language instruction in the classroom.
Examples
Have you ever taught students whose native language was not English? How about teaching a new
language to English speaking students? For these types of students, most lessons begin with the
alphabet and numerals. For example, an early lesson might look something like this:

one uno
two dos
three tres
This approach requires rote memorization and practice. Content-based learning would teach
Spanish in a different way. The lesson might go something like this:
Today we are going to take a virtual field trip to the Madrid zoo. When you reach the website, select
the ES or Spanish version, for language. Using the images as a guide, list the types of animals
featured. What does each animal eat? Where do they live in the wild? What are the hours at the
Madrid zoo? Are they open every day of the week?
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