From caterpillars to red hens: how stories can enhance your CLIL curriculum

Stories can have a profound impact on language learners, particularly in the EFL/ESL CLIL classroom as they provide context and meaning for new vocabulary and concepts, and they can help learners to remember information more effectively. stories can also be used to encourage creativity and critical thinking, as well as to promote literacy skills such as reading comprehension and writing.

When choosing stories to use in the CLIL classroom, it is useful to bear in mind the following criteria:

Level: The level of a story book refers to its reading difficulty and suitability for a particular age or reading proficiency. It’s important to choose books that align with a child’s reading abilities to ensure comprehension and engagement. The level should challenge the reader without overwhelming them.

Literary Devices: Literary devices are techniques or structures used by authors to enhance the storytelling experience. Look for story books that employ devices such as vivid imagery, similes, metaphors, personification, or foreshadowing. These devices can captivate readers and deepen their understanding of the story.

Content/Subject Matter: Consider the content and subject matter of the story book. Choose books that align with the reader’s interests, curiosity, and personal growth. The themes and topics explored should be age-appropriate and relevant to the reader’s experiences or expand their understanding of different cultures, ideas, or perspectives.

Illustrations/Layout: The illustrations and layout of a story book play a crucial role in capturing a reader’s attention and enhancing their comprehension. Look for books with visually appealing and high-quality illustrations that complement the text. Additionally, consider the layout and design elements that facilitate readability and make the reading experience enjoyable.

Educational Potential: Story books can offer educational value beyond pure entertainment. Consider books that introduce new concepts, promote critical thinking, enhance vocabulary, or provide historical or cultural insights. Books that encourage curiosity and spark further learning are particularly valuable.

Motivation: Choose story books that inspire and motivate readers. Look for narratives with relatable characters, engaging plots, and compelling storytelling styles. Books that evoke emotions, ignite imagination, or present challenges and triumphs can cultivate a love for reading and create a positive reading experience.

Values: Consider the values portrayed in the story book. Look for books that promote empathy, kindness, inclusivity, honesty, and other positive values. Stories that explore moral dilemmas and encourage ethical thinking can help children develop a strong sense of right and wrong.

Global Issues: Story books can be a powerful tool for introducing global issues and fostering awareness of the world around us. Choose books that address topics like environmental sustainability, social justice, diversity, or cultural understanding. Such books can broaden perspectives and encourage readers to become informed and responsible global citizens.

Potential for Follow-up Work: Consider the story book’s potential for follow-up activities or discussions. Books that encourage conversations, inspire creative projects, or offer opportunities for further exploration beyond reading alone can enhance the learning experience and deepen engagement with the text.

For example, consider The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. It’s the story of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. This story can help students understand the process of metamorphosis. Through the story, they can learn about the different stages of a butterfly’s life cycle and see how each stage is necessary for the transformation to occur. You can incorporate vocabulary related to colours, numbers, fruits, and days of the week, fostering language acquisition while teaching science. Additionally, the story can help them understand how changes in an animal’s environment can affect its development. It can also be used to teach important science skills such as observation and data collection. For instance, you could ask your students to observe a caterpillar closely and record their observations in a journal. As they watch the caterpillar change into a butterfly, they will be practicing important scientific skills that they can use in other situations.

“The Little Red Hen” is another story that provides ample opportunities for students to explore various subjects, such as agriculture, food production, teamwork, and perseverance. For instance, students can engage in group projects to investigate the process of growing wheat or explore the benefits of collaboration in real-world scenarios. It also invites readers to reflect on themes like responsibility, hard work, and the consequences of actions. In CLIL classrooms, students can explore the life cycle of wheat plants in science, study different farming practices in social studies, or calculate the quantities of ingredients required to bake bread in mathematics. These cross-curricular connections enable a holistic learning experience, fostering students’ understanding of interconnected knowledge.

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