Content-based instruction for level 3 business majors in the efl classroom at the University of Azuay: incorporating content without sacrificing language

Abstract

Content-based language teaching, also known as Content-Based Instruction (CBI) in North America and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in Europe, is widely touted as an effective means of enhancing language acquisition due to the use of meaningful subject matter to teach both content and language simultaneously. This study aims to contribute to current research on CBI in Latin America by assessing the outcomes of incorporating business-related content into a conventional EFL course for second-year business administration students at the University of Azuay, Ecuador. Quantitative and qualitative data from 29 participants were analyzed to determine the impact of CBI on their grammatical competence and motivation during one academic semester and their perceptions of CBI. The results show that participants made statistically significant gains in mean grammatical competence scores as measured by pre and post-tests. No significant changes were observed in motivational intensity and attitudes toward learning, which remained fairly neutral to moderately high. While participants’ instrumental orientation declined slightly, significant improvements were observed in their self-confidence as well as reduced levels of anxiety. It was concluded that progress in grammatical competence is possible with CBI, so as long as a true balance between language and content is achieved. Despite perceptions of CBI as a more cognitively demanding approach, participants reported feeling more knowledgeable as a result. Given the inconclusive findings concerning motivation and the complexities surrounding this construct, further research in this area is recommended.