Ten Years of CLIL in a Thai University: A Longitudinal Analysis of Courses in Higher Education (2014-2024)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5294/laclil.2026.19.1.3Keywords:
CLIL, higher education, Institutional policy, Longitudinal analysis, Thai university sustainability, Asian university, language policyAbstract
The article presents a longitudinal analysis of the implementation of the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, from 2014 to 2024. Using quantitative, document-based methodology, the research tracks the evolution of CLIL courses, intensity levels, teacher participation, and disciplinary coverage. The findings indicate a peak in CLIL course offerings in 2016, notable fluctuations during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a stable distribution of subjects across institutional intensity levels. The study highlighted recurring challenges, including limited access to contextualized instructional materials and the need for ongoing teacher training and curricular integration. Although student outcomes were not directly measured, the relevance of CLIL for enhancing communicative skills and engagement is acknowledged in related literature. Recommendations for future research include qualitative assessments of student and teacher perceptions, interdisciplinary collaboration, and institutional strategies for sustainable CLIL development. This research contributes empirical insights to inform policy and practice in multilingual higher education contexts.
Downloads
References
Andersen, F. Ø., & Tieben, N. (2016). Explaining non‐completion of upper secondary education in Denmark: Integration of cultural capital theory and rational choice theory. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 37(1), 51-72.
ATLAS.ti. (2023). Estudios longitudinales: Métodos, ventajas y retos. https://atlasti.com/es/research-hub/estudio-longitudinal
Banegas, D. L. (2019). Teacher professional development in language-driven CLIL: A case study. Latin American Journal of Content & Language Integrated Learning, 12(2), 242-264. https://doi.org/10.5294/laclil.2019.12.2.3
Bukodi, E., & Goldthorpe, J. H. (2013). Decomposing ‘social origins’: The effects of parents’ class, status, and education on the educational attainment of their children. European Sociological Review, 29(5),
1024-1039. https://doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcs079
Cenoz, J., Genesee, F., & Gorter, D. (2014). Critical analysis of CLIL: Taking stock and looking forward. Applied Linguistics, 35(3), 243-262. https://doi.org/10.1093/applin/amt011
Chap, V., & Wright, W. E. (2024). Content and language integrated learning in Cambodia’s higher education: A study of an Introduction to ASEAN course. TESOL Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/tesj.895
Charunsri, K. (2019). The Challenges of Implementing Content Language Integrated Learning in Tertiary Education in Thailand: A Review and Implication of Materials. Advances in Language and Literary Studies, 10(4), 125-132. https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.10n.4p.125
Costa, F., & Coleman, J. A. (2013). A survey of English-medium instruction in Italian higher education. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 16(1), 3-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2012.676621
Coyle, D., Hood, P., & Marsh, D. (2010). CLIL: Content and Language Integrated Learning. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009024549
Dalton-Puffer, C. (2011). Content-and-language integrated learning: From practice to principles? Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 31, 182-204. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0267190511000092
Doiz, A., Lasagabaster, D., & Sierra, J. M. (2014). CLIL and motivation: The effect of individual and contextual variables. Language Learning Journal, 42(2), 209-224. https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2014.889508
European Centre for Modern Languages (ECML). (2025). CLIL-LOTE-START – Content and language integrated learning of languages other than English. https://www.ecml.at/Resources/ECMLresources/tabid/277/ID/25/language/en-GB/Default.aspx
Gilanyi, L., Gao, X., & Wang, S. (2023). EMI and CLIL in Asian schools: A scoping review of empirical research between 2015 and 2022. Heliyon, 9(5), e16365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16365
Nguyen, H. T. M., Nguyen, H. T. T., Gao, X., Hoang, T. H., & Starfield, S. (2024). Developing professional capacity for Content Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) teaching in Vietnam: Tensions and responses. Language and Education, 38(1), 118-138. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500782.2023.2260374
Hüttner, J., Dalton-Puffer, C., & Smit, U. (2013). The power of beliefs: Lay theories and their influence on the implementation of CLIL programmes. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 16(3), 267-284. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2013.777385
LanQua Toolkit. (2008). Frame of Reference for Quality in Languages in Higher Education. Language Network for Quality Assurance. https://speaqproject.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/lanqua_frame_of_reference.pdf
Lasagabaster, D., & Sierra, J. M. (2009). Language attitudes in CLIL and traditional EFL classes. International CLIL Research Journal, 1(2), 4-17.
Lee, J.-Y. (2024). Pedagogical effects of CLIL in Asia’s higher education: An empirical reassessment. SAGE Open. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241271140
Lee, B. C., & Chang, K. S. (2008). An overview of content language integrated learning in Asian countries. Studies in English Education, 13(2), 166-184.
Llinares, A., & Morton, T. (2010). Historical explanations as situated practice in content and language integrated learning. Classroom Discourse, 1(1), 46-65. https://doi.org/10.1080/19463011003750681
Ludbrook, G. (2008). CLIL: The potential of multilingual education. Dos Algarves, (17), 18-19. https://www.dosalgarves.com/rev/N17/3rev17.pdf
Madrid, D., Gómez Parra, M. E., & Ortega-Martín, J. L. (2017). Evaluación de los programas de educación bilingüe en Andalucía. Universidad de Granada. https://www.ugr.es/~dmadrid/Publicaciones/Evaluacion%20programas%20AICLE%20Andaluc%C3%ADa_DM_MEGP_JLO.pdf
Mehisto, P., Marsh, D., & Frigols, M. J. (2008). Uncovering CLIL: Content and Language Integrated Learning in bilingual and multilingual education. Macmillan.
Ministerio de Educación del Perú. (2015). Aprendizajes de primero a sexto de primaria en lectura y matemática: Un estudio longitudinal en instituciones educativas estatales de Lima Metropolitana. https://repositorio.minedu.gob.pe/handle/20.500.12799/1133
Müller, C. (2014). New tools for measuring context. National Academy of Education Working Paper. https://naeducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/muller-nces-longitudinal-surveys.pdf
Office of the Education Council. (2017). National Scheme of Education B.E. 2560-2579 (2017-2036). Ministry of Education, Thailand. https://www.onec.go.th/us.php/home/category/CAT0000196
Pérez-Cañado, M. L. (2012). CLIL research in Europe: Past, present, and future. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 15(3), 315-341. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2011.630064
Pérez-Cañado, M. L. (2020). CLIL and elitism: Myth or reality? Language Learning Journal, 48(1), 4-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2019.1645872
Richards, J. C., & Rodgers, T. S. (2014). Content-Based Instruction and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL). In Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching (pp. 116–138). Chapter, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009024532.009
Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University. (2025). Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritsumeikan_Asia_Pacific_University
Salvador-García, C., Sánchez-Sánchez, J., & Ruiz-Montero, P. J. (2021). Diseño y validación del Cuestionario de Evaluación de Sesiones de Educación Física a través de AICLE (CESEFA). Retos, 42, 535-542.
Shirai, Y. (2025). A practice report on CLIL in Japan: Focusing on biomimicry at a National Institute of Technology. Latin American Journal of Content and Language Integrated Learning, 16(1), e1614. https://doi.org/10.5294/laclil.2023.16.1.4
Suwannoppharat, K., & Chinokul, S. (2015). Applying CLIL to English language teaching in Thailand: Issues and challenges. Latin American Journal of Content and Language Integrated Learning, 8(2), 237-254. https://doi.org/10.5294/laclil.2015.8.2.8
University of Cambodia. (2025). University of Cambodia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Cambodia
Yang, M., O’Sullivan, P. S., Irby, D. M., Chen, Z., & Lin, C. (2019). Challenges and adaptations in implementing an English-medium medical program: A case study in China. BMC Medical Education, 19(15). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-018-1452-3
Yang, W. (2016). The deployment of English learning strategies in the CLIL approach: A comparison study of Taiwan and Hong Kong tertiary level contexts. ESP Today, 6(1), 44-64. https://doi.org/10.18485/esptoday.2018.6.1.3
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Fuangket Tongwanchai, Chadchavan Sritong

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
This Journal and its articles are published under the Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 DEED Attribution 4.0 International license. You are free to: Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format for any purpose, even commercially. Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. The license cannot revoke these freedoms as long as you follow the terms of the license.

