This paper examines one aspect of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in Swedish schools, namely the student perspective. The main aim is to investigate why students choose the CLIL option, what they expect to happen in the CLIL classroom, and how they experience the CLIL instruction once their programs commence.
The population of the study comprises students from two schools in two mid-sized cities, all studying either a Natural Science or a Social Science program taught mostly in English. During one academic year (2011-2012), 22 students were interviewed individually, in pairs, or in groups of three. The informants were aged 15-18 years old and represented all three grades. Semi-structured interviews focused on the students’ expectations of and experiences with CLIL and afforded a complement to classroom observations taking place concurrently. The interviews offer a glimpse at information not necessarily observable in the classroom observations, illuminating the match and/or mismatch between intention and reality by shedding light on the relationship between what the students say about their goals with CLIL and how they actually act upon these stated expressions.
The interview data has been analysed thematically and reveals the students’ thoughts on their own English language proficiency, on their own and their teachers’ language usage, on the influence of peers and parents on school choice, and on the expectations of the perceived benefits of an English-medium education. Preliminary results indicate, among other things, that many students think that English is already a natural part of their everyday life both in and out of school and that the program of study (Natural or Social Sciences) is more important than the medium of instruction. All expressed clear opinions on English language usage in the CLIL classroom. The results will be illustrated in the presentation with examples of student voices.