Abstract (eng)
Content and language integrated learning (CLIL) combines content subject and foreign language methodology and is increasingly adopted at Austrian schools. Using methods from accompanying research (Begleitforschung), this paper follows the introduction of a CLIL programme at a vocational secondary school with a focus on business education (HAK), documents this process, and offers theory-based guidance on seven core challenges faced by the school. These challenges were identified in cooperation with CLIL teachers at the school and include planning for a multilingual student population, avoiding bias towards students with higher socio-economic status and better academic performance, designing a programme structure and methodological approach tailored to the needs and facilities of the school and its student population, procuring and creating high-quality CLIL materials, devising fair and integrative assessment strategies, planning for effective teamwork and close teacher collaboration, and implementing measures of quality control. These issues are evaluated from a theoretical perspective and through the review of Austrian best-practice examples before discussing strategies for action, thus proving that CLIL is not only suitable for elite students but can successfully be adapted to fit the needs of a more diverse student population. To aid the introduction of a similar programme at other Austrian schools, the planning measures taken at the research site will be summarised in a guideline for planning a CLIL programme.