Connecting Brazil: Inaugural CLIL Community Conference
Supporting Lecture Delivery in EMI settings in Higher Ed
3 March 2025 I The Queensland Institute
UNESP lecturers joined us from across Brazil.
In February 2025, The Queensland Institute had the privilege of collaborating with UNESP (São Paulo State University, Brazil) to host our inaugural CLIL Community Conference.
This virtual event brought together lecturers, researchers, and educators from across Brazil to exchange ideas, share experiences, and strengthen the growing Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) community in higher education.
A Collaborative Space for CLIL Educators
The conference provided a valuable opportunity for UNESP faculty members and The Queensland Institute’s team to reflect on challenges, successes, and innovations in CLIL.
Five presentations from UNESP lecturers across diverse disciplines—including STEM & Calculus, Biophysics, Environmental Engineering, Education, and Nursing—provided insights into how CLIL methodologies are being adapted in different academic contexts.
Practical Strategies for CLIL Success
A key feature of the event was the sharing of practical teaching techniques that have proven effective in CLIL classrooms. Some standout approaches discussed included:
Using digital laser pointers to highlight key information during online lectures
Incorporating clear learning goals and focus questions at each stage of the lecture
Breaking lectures into 15-20 minute interactive blocks to sustain student engagement
Adding vocabulary exercises and puzzles to scaffold academic language
Leading problem-solving design workshops to encourage critical thinking
These hands-on strategies not only support content comprehension but also empower students to actively participate in their learning, an essential goal in CLIL instruction.
Strengthening the CLIL Community
Beyond knowledge-sharing, this event also served as a catalyst for continued collaboration. The interactive Q&A and reflection session encouraged participants to discuss common challenges and seek advice from peers. Topics such as student motivation, assessment in CLIL, and strategies for maintaining student engagement at the end of a semester emerged as key themes.
The event Padlet, an online collaboration space, allowed participants to contribute ideas, ask questions, and document key takeaways—extending the conversation beyond the live session.
High Praise for the Event
One STEM lecturer reflected on the event,
“I really liked this event format. QI always organizes everything down to the smallest details, which in itself is a valuable lesson for us participants—observing the entire schedule, organisation, attention to detail, and care to ensure that everyone gets the most out of it. I loved everything.”
Another colleague adding,
“The idea of bringing together teachers who have already applied CLIL to report and exchange experiences was wonderful. It was great to hear different people in distinct areas talking about their experiences with CLIL.”
Program Coordinator, Professor Paula Pinto from UNESP’s Department of Modern Languages shared her praise for the event,
“Thank you for this great opportunity to hear how our colleagues have applied CLIL in their classes and for being so inspiring. To my colleagues, I hope you continue pursuing excellence, I am proud of working with you! Let's keep this community vivid and thriving.”
Sharing Thanks
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated presenters who made this event such a success:
Gilcilene Sanchez de Paulo – Department of Mathematics & Computer Science, UNESP Presidente Prudente
Erick Silva – Department of Biophysics & Pharmacology, UNESP Botucatu
Cassiane Lemos – Department of Nursing , UNESP Botucatu
Ademir Prata – Department of Environmental Engineering, IGCE, UNESP Rio Claro
Maisa Zakir – Department of Education, UNESP Assis
A huge thank you to our UNESP colleagues for their enthusiasm and insights—your contributions are shaping the future of CLIL at university in Brazil!
Looking Ahead
As English as a Medium of Instruction continues to expand across Brazil, The Queensland Institute remains committed to supporting educators through customised training, resource-sharing, and ongoing engagement through Communities of Practice.
We are proud that this inaugural event underscored the power of co-designing learning experiences, ensuring that educators feel confident in applying innovative CLIL approaches in their classrooms.
Connect with Us
If you’re interested in bringing tailored teacher training programs to your institution, connect with our Co-Founders, Philippa, and Fiona, via email to learn more. We’d love to hear from you!
Student images courtesy: Erick Silva, UNESP Botucatu
