SPOC in hybrid format for training CLIL teachers in Higher Education: a pilot project

Coelho, T.
Coelho, M.

Palabras clave: SPOC, CLIL, teacher training, teachers professional development in higher education

In line with the educational challenges of the digital society and given the urge to find innovative approaches in the context of continuous professional development (CPD) and teacher training in Higher Education, evidence points to the advantages of the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach in promoting a quality pedagogical environment (Leask, 2015), a high potential for driving change, success in language learning, and the promotion of plurilingualism (Pérez Cañado, 2017). These assumptions frame the exploratory study conducted in a pilot project at the Polytechnic of Portalegre, in 2022-23, which consisted in the planning and implementation of a pedagogical training course for CLIL teachers developed in a hybrid Small Private Online Course (SPOC) format – self-study and face-to-face classes. Evaluation suggests this model fosters teacher engagement and autonomy, offering an innovative response to emerging educational needs in Higher Education CPD.