Content - Based Instruction

Paula Torres
Daniela Reyes
Johana Ruiz
Background of CBI

*Bernard Mohan (1980)

* Cantoni-Harvey

*Crandall
What is CBI?
An approach in which the teaching is
organized around the content.

Content subject theme/topic

● Very specific
● In relation to students’ interest
or need.
Characteristics of CBI
A)Base instructional decisions on content rather than language
criteria:
- The teacher’s role.

B)Integrate skills:
- Integrate skills approach to language teaching.
- Multiple skills simultaneously.
C)Involve students actively in all phases of the learning process.

- Is learner-centered.
- Students do not depend on the teacher.

D)Choose content for its relevance to students’ lives, interests, and/or

academic goals.

-Related to the students’ needs.

E)Select authentic texts and tasks.

-Texts and tasks used in CBI come from the real world.
Models of CBI Sheltered content
instruction
Theme-based language
instruction Main objective:Learners
understand the contents.
General Specific More
themes themes classes Students are still learning the
topics target of language

● Video and audio material Teacher will modify the lesson

● Reading (vocab,speed,pace)
● Vocabulary
Students profit the material
Adjunct language
instruction
Students take 2 courses:
PAIRED courses -a specific
content
ADJUNCTED courses-specific
linguistic features
● Student’s self confidence
● New language to
accomplish real tasks
Sustained- content
language teaching
Similar to Theme-basic
instruction (general contents
-many themes)
BUT
Sustained- content language
teaching (one topic
sustained/prolonged)
Conclusion
-CBI can be both challenging rewarding.

-Beyond simple grammatical competence.

- It is precisely this idea of having students develop communicative

competence that allows them to participate in the target culture.
What traffic light means?
 Directionals
Palm up
Lay right Lay left

Nothing

Palm Down

Helm
Hand Hand
right right
crossed crossed

Turn on the car

-complete turn right

Turn off the car Accelerator

-complete turn left Break
Foot right Foot left
crossed crossed