VietTESOL International Convention 2026

In many CLIL lessons, content objectives and language ones are not often clearly aligned. Content objectives may be written without sufficient consideration of learners’ language proficiency, whereas language objectives are often written as broad vocabulary goals. This workshop focuses on how classroom teachers can design both content and language objectives that work together and directly align with cognition levels, classroom tasks, and evidence of student learning. Participants will first analyse the relationship between content and language demands required for learners to engage successfully in the lesson and analyse the key concepts and cognitive demands involved before writing aligned objectives that connect these key elements.

The workshop then clarifies what constitutes a content objective and a language objective in CLIL and how they differ from objectives typically used in subject-only or language-focused lessons. Using sample materials, participants will practise writing content objectives that align with the language focus and cognitive target. They will also practise writing language objectives that specify language functions, relevant linguistic forms, and expected learner outputs. They will then connect these objectives to classroom activities and interactional opportunities. Finally, participants will consider what forms of classroom evidence can demonstrate whether the learning opportunities support the intended objectives and whether students have achieved the expected outcomes. The session concludes with collaborative discussion, questions and answers.