The origin of CLIL can be traced back to the 1990s in Europe, particularly in response to the increasing need for multilingual competence. Its implementation has grown in different educational contexts due to its flexibility and adaptability.

One of the main benefits of CLIL is that it fosters meaningful language use. Instead of learning English in isolation, students apply it in real-life academic contexts, which increases motivation and engagement (Mehisto, Marsh & Frigols, 2008). Additionally, CLIL encourages critical thinking and cross-curricular connections, allowing students to develop 21st-century skills like communication, collaboration, and cultural awareness.

In today’s language classrooms, CLIL is particularly relevant because it aligns with the demands of global education. It prepares learners to use English not just for passing tests, but for participating in academic and professional settings across disciplines. Overall, CLIL represents a shift from language learning to language using a key paradigm in modern pedagogy.

CLIL emerged from the European context in the 1990s, aiming to improve language competence without increasing the number of language classes. It was a response to the growing demand for plurilingual education in the European Union (Eurydice, 2006).

The main benefit of CLIL is that it exposes learners to the foreign language in authentic, subject-based contexts. It supports deeper processing of language and content, promoting both linguistic and cognitive development. CLIL also enhances learners’ intercultural awareness, which is essential in today’s globalized society.

In modern language classrooms, CLIL is relevant because it shifts the focus from grammar drills to meaningful communication. It encourages learners to interact, solve problems, and reflect, using English as a tool rather than a subject. This makes learning more motivating and prepares students for real-world use of the language in science, history, or even math.

The methodology was born in the early 1990s to address multilingual demands in European schools. Since then, it has spread globally due to its capacity to develop communicative competence while supporting curriculum goals.

One of the key benefits of CLIL is the contextualized use of language. It supports both input and output through tasks that promote language acquisition naturally. Moreover, it involves the use of scaffolding techniques, such as visuals, glossaries, and structured tasks, which help students access complex content (Dalton-Puffer, 2007).

CLIL is especially relevant today because it aligns with modern educational goals: fostering critical thinking, interdisciplinary knowledge, and active learning. In countries like Colombia, where English is a foreign language, CLIL can bridge the gap between language instruction and academic content, offering students more meaningful learning experiences.