Planning for Effective Co-teaching with a Foreign Language Assistant in the Pre-primary CLIL Classroom

Abstract

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Foreign language assistants play a key role in the CLIL classroom as they provide motivation to communicate in the foreign language, an authentic linguistic model, and an intercultural perspective. However, in order to make the most of this valuable human resource, teachers need to know how to prepare language assistants for their role and guide them throughout the year. Basing this partnership on co-teaching classroom roles from which both adults can support students by modelling linguistic and intercultural mediation, this chapter suggests specific ways in which to employ language assistants in the pre-primary CLIL classroom. Proposed activities and techniques create a useful role for the language assistant from which to motivate learners, support their first steps in communicating in a foreign language, and gradually develop learners’ intercultural competence. Finally, the chapter offers practical advice regarding the preparation and support of language assistants by teachers and administrators to ensure an effective working relationship, including initial orientation practices, ongoing guidance and systematic feedback.