Creating a reading culture in the CLIL classroom: encouraging exploration through storybooks

Children enjoy listening to stories in their mother tongue and are familiar with narrative conventions. For this reason, storybooks can provide an ideal introduction to the foreign language as they present language in a repetitive and memorable context. Storybooks can also act as a springboard for a wide variety of related learning activities.Stories have an innate ability to captivate learners of all ages. By introducing storybooks in your CLIL lessons, you not only provide an engaging and enjoyable learning experience but also offer a valuable opportunity for students to explore scientific concepts in a meaningful context.

Although the primary curriculum in most countries is usually very full, it can be beneficial to integrate or link language work with other school learning for many reasons:

• Stories present situations that require analysis and problem-solving, fostering critical thinking skills among students. By connecting scientific concepts with real-life scenarios, storybooks encourage students to think creatively and apply their knowledge to new situations.
• Stories may provide children with a broader perspective or world view. This increases their cultural knowledge and provides opportunities to develop aspects of citizenship, such as a multicultural or global view of the world
• Stories also reinforce certain key content areas and concepts that cross subject boundaries and underpins more general learning across the curriculum.
• Storybooks provide a foundation for students to develop their background knowledge in Science. Through narratives, students gain exposure to various scientific phenomena, processes, and theories, creating a solid understanding that serves as a basis for further exploration.
• And last but not least, stories can maximise the limited time often given to foreign language learning by offering opportunities briefly to revise or review relevant language as the opportunity arises, for example, taking two minutes to revise numbers in English in the maths class.

Before using storybooks in CLIL classes, take into account the following tips:

• Choose relevant and engaging stories: Select storybooks that align with the scientific topics you are teaching. Look for narratives that present scientific concepts in an age-appropriate and engaging manner. Consider books with vibrant illustrations and relatable characters to capture students’ interest.
• Plan some pre-reading activities: Before diving into the story, engage students in pre-reading activities to activate their prior knowledge and build curiosity. Ask open-ended questions, conduct a class discussion, or use visual aids to introduce key vocabulary and concepts.
• Organise during-reading activities: Encourage active participation during the reading process. Pause at appropriate intervals to ask comprehension questions, encourage predictions, or promote discussions related to the scientific content of the story. Incorporate activities such as think-pair-share or small group discussions to foster collaboration.
• Prepare post-reading activities: After completing the story, reinforce learning through various activities. Students can create concept maps, draw illustrations, or write summaries to consolidate their understanding of the scientific concepts explored in the story. Additionally, extend the learning by conducting hands-on experiments, research projects, or presentations related to the topic.
• Establish a reading corner: Create a dedicated reading corner in your classroom, stocked with a variety of storybooks related to Science. Encourage independent reading or allocate specific reading times during the week. This space can become a cozy and inviting area for students to immerse themselves in the wonders of science through books.

By incorporating storybooks into your CLIL Science lessons, you foster a love for reading, ignite scientific curiosity, and create an engaging learning environment for your students. Remember, the goal is not just to teach Science but to inspire a lifelong passion for exploration and discovery.

We hope these tips and ideas inspire you to infuse your CLIL classroom with the magic of stories. Watch your students’ imaginations soar as they embark on captivating scientific adventures through the pages of a book!

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