CLIL English Teacher Training Course (Erasmus+) in Ireland

The programme

Our CLIL Teacher Training Programme is a practical and hands-on CLIL teacher training course for non-native English-speaking teachers who teach subjects through English or would like to introduce Content and Language Integrated Learning into their classroom. Delivered at Galway Cultural Institute in Galway, this Erasmus+ CLIL course gives teachers the methodology, language support and classroom confidence needed to teach subject content through English.

This CLIL course in Ireland is suitable for primary and secondary school teachers who want a structured, professional teacher training experience in an English-speaking environment. The programme runs for one week and includes 20 lessons per week, with a clear timetable designed to combine CLIL methodology, classroom English, lesson planning and practical teaching activities.

Teachers who are applying for Erasmus+ funding can contact us to check programme details, course dates and Erasmus+ eligibility before booking.

What is CLIL? 

CLIL stands for Content and Language Integrated Learning. It is an educational approach where students learn a school subject, such as science, maths, history, geography, art or business studies, through a second language. In many classrooms, this means teaching subject content in English while also supporting students’ language development.

When people ask “what is CLIL?”, the simplest answer is that CLIL combines subject learning and language learning in the same lesson. Students do not only study English as a language; they use English to understand, discuss and apply subject knowledge. This makes CLIL methodologyespecially valuable for teachers working in bilingual, international or multilingual education contexts.

A strong CLIL lesson helps students understand the subject, use key vocabulary, develop communication skills and build confidence using English in a real learning environment.

For a deeper introduction to the teaching approach, read our guide to CLIL methodology and language teaching.

Why Choose a CLIL Teacher Training Course?

A CLIL teacher training course helps teachers develop the skills they need to teach subjects in English more clearly, confidently and effectively. For many teachers, the challenge is not only understanding English, but knowing how to explain subject content, give instructions, support comprehension and encourage student interaction in English.

The benefits of CLIL include stronger classroom communication, more active learning, improved student engagement and greater opportunities for international education. With the right CLIL training, teachers can help students learn subject content while also improving their English language skills.

This course is particularly useful if you want to improve your classroom English, adapt your subject materials, plan more effective CLIL lessons, use practical CLIL teaching strategies and increase your confidence when teaching in English. It can also support your professional development and strengthen your profile for international teaching opportunities.

GCI’s PIC Number: 929605806

Who is the CLIL Course For?

This CLIL course for teachers is designed for non-native English-speaking teachers who currently teach, or plan to teach, school subjects through English. It is suitable for both primary and secondary teachers, including a CLIL primary teacher who wants to introduce English into classroom subjects and a CLIL secondary teacher who teaches subject areas such as science, maths, history, geography, business, technology or the arts.

Participants should have a minimum English level of Intermediate B1. You do not need advanced CLIL experience before joining the course. The programme is designed to support teachers who are developing their CLIL knowledge as well as teachers who already use English in the classroom and want to improve their methodology.

CLIL Teacher Training Course Objectives

The main objective of this CLIL teacher training programme is to help teachers understand and apply the principles of Content and Language Integrated Learning in a practical classroom context. The course aims to strengthen your ability to teach subject content through English while supporting students’ language development at the same time.

• You will improve your own English pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar skills.
• You will be able to deliver CLIL lessons to your students in whatever the subject you're teaching may be.
• We will empower you and provide you with interesting tips on how to motivate your students.
• Source and adapt material to suit the CLIL syllabi.
• Be able to give instructions and organise both classroom and playground activities.
• Understand grammar & vocabulary found in the English material used in class.

By combining English language development with practical methodology training, this programme helps teachers bring CLIL teaching into their own schools in a realistic and effective way.

CLIL Methodology Training: What You Will Learn

This CLIL methodology training course focuses on practical teaching techniques that can be used immediately in the classroom. You will explore how to balance content and language, support learners as they work through subject material in English and create lessons that are clear, engaging and achievable.

CLIL Teaching Strategies

You will learn how to use effective CLIL teaching strategies to help students understand subject content through English. This includes scaffolding language, introducing key vocabulary, supporting comprehension, checking understanding and balancing subject learning with language development.

The course also looks at how to make complex ideas more accessible, how to encourage students to use English actively and how to design tasks that help learners engage with both content and language.

CLIL Lesson Planning

You will explore how to plan structured CLIL lessons with clear aims, useful language support and practical classroom activities. This includes selecting lesson objectives, adapting subject materials, preparing vocabulary support and sequencing tasks so that students can understand and use new content in English.

Lesson planning will focus on real classroom situations, helping you develop resources and activities that are relevant to your own subject area and teaching context.

Classroom Communication Skills

A key part of CLIL training is developing the English you need to manage the classroom confidently. You will work on classroom communication skills such as giving instructions in English, explaining tasks, checking understanding, encouraging pair and group work, correcting errors and supporting student interaction.

This part of the course is particularly useful for teachers who want to improve their fluency, pronunciation, vocabulary and confidence when using English in front of a class.

Practical CLIL Activities

The programme includes practical CLIL activities that can be adapted for primary or secondary classrooms. You will explore group work, task-based learning, peer interaction, classroom games, topic-based resources and activities that encourage students to communicate while learning subject content.

These activities are designed to help you return to your own school with practical ideas, adaptable resources and a stronger understanding of how CLIL teaching works in real classroom settings.

Read more about this course from a student's perspective. Here is Ulrich's blog about his experience as a student on this course.