On 13–14 June I travelled to Maynooth University, Ireland, to represent the CLILNetLE COST Action (CA2114) at World CLIL 2025, a truly international gathering built around the theme “CLIL Connects: the role of CLIL across subject disciplines, supporting and developing pluriliteracies, plurilingual and pluricultural competencies.”

Sharing our findings

Under the Connectivity & Collaboration pillar I delivered the paper “Current CLIL Practices in Europe: How do they relate to curricular requirements?” (co-authored with Ana Llinares). Drawing on data collected by WG 1 and WG 3, the study mapped disciplinary-literacy practices across 17 European programmes and then narrowed its focus down into the Spanish Biology curriculum to examine alignment with CLIL expectations. The work also showcased a diagnostic tool developed within the Action to capture teacher and pupil perspectives.

Why it mattered

Presenting the research prompted rich discussion on:

* how curricula can better accommodate bi-/multilingual disciplinary literacies;

* practical ways of embedding our tree-metaphor framework into classroom planning;

* future joint studies on curriculum design, learner progression and multilingual strategies.

The friendly atmosphere meant informal conversations were every bit as productive as the formal sessions, sparking new collaborations with colleagues from across Europe and beyond.

Impact for CLILNetLE

My attendance, supported by an Inclusiveness Target Countries Conference Grant, advanced three core aims of the Action:

1. Dissemination: raising the profile of our emerging evidence base and conceptual work;

2. Networking: forging links that will feed into forthcoming WG activities;

3. Capacity-building: demonstrating early-career involvement and encouraging others to engage.

I am grateful to the World CLIL organising team, Post-Primary Languages Ireland and Queen’s University Belfast, and of course to COST and CLILNetLE for making the trip possible. The insights and connections gained will inform our next publications and workshops – watch this space!

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