Exploring the professional integration of individuals who have completed Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) education

Details

Supervisors

Bulon, Amélie

Faculty

Faculté de philosophie, arts et lettres

Degree label

Master [120] en communication multilingue, à finalité spécialisée: langues des affaires

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the practice of content and language-integrated learning (CLIL), also known as Enseignement d’une Matière par l’Intégration d’une Langue Etrangère (EMILE), and its impact on the professional integration of students. In Belgium, the term “immersion” is commonly used. The main focus of this thesis is to examine the perception of former CLIL students regarding their studies and employability. Since it was established in 1994 in Europe, CLIL has been gradually integrated into numerous primary and secondary schools. Some universities have also introduced CLIL to specific degree programs (Pavesi & al. 2001). Companies are keen on internationalising their operations to enhance their reputation and profitability in the current globalised world. Consequently, these companies are seeking qualified employees who possess technical expertise and linguistic skills. Given that CLIL programs combine Content and language, students who have completed this training will likely be well-prepared for the job market. An online survey was conducted with 44 respondents to gather data, and the resulting data was meticulously analysed using Microsoft Excel. The research questions aimed to evaluate the perception of former CLIL students concerning CLIL education and the impact of CLIL education on their job search. These two research questions were further divided into sub-questions, ultimately resulting in two hypotheses. Through rigorous analysis, we validated our hypotheses, revealing the powerful impact of CLIL studies on students' overall learning capacity. In addition to improving language skills, students gain valuable insight into the culture of the foreign language, positioning them as strong contenders in the job market of that region and every part of the world where the language is spoken. Additionally, our analyses revealed that many respondents attributed their successful job interviews to CLIL training.