New Perspectives for CLIL in the Revised Primary Curriculum in Austria

Since language acquisition in early childhood is a multifaceted and fascinating endeavour, the integration of English as a foreign language or language of instruction in the primary classroom is a truly challenging and complex process for all involved. In the new Austrian primary school curriculum, CLIL is explicitly propagated as an opportunity to use English as the language of education for the integrative teaching of learning content and language skills alike. Yet the relevant programmes offered by university colleges of teacher education vary greatly across Austria, not least due to the lack of educational policy guidelines to date. Empirical evidence has predominantly shown that children enjoy CLIL units and adopt or develop a generally positive attitude towards English. Hence, it is anticipated that the clear postulates of the new curriculum regarding a ‘CLIL renaissance’ will be duly reflected in the revised curricula of Austrian universities and teacher training colleges.