1. Choosing CLIL Topics

In this module, we explore how to select appropriate topics for CLIL in primary education. While teachers benefit from a wide range of possible subjects and themes, not all content is equally suitable when taught through a second language, making careful and thoughtful planning essential. You will learn how to make informed choices by considering five key elements that support effective CLIL lesson design and help ensure that learning is accessible, engaging, and meaningful for students.

In this introduction, we focus on both the opportunities and challenges of topic selection and present these five key factors — students’ age and ability level, the subject area, the specific topic, lesson duration, and teacher experience — which form the foundation of successful CLIL practice. We begin with the most important of these: your learners.