A CLIL-Based Approach to Integrating “News Aggregation” with Values Education in an International Trade Practice Course

Abstract

This paper proposes a CLIL-based pedagogical design integrating values education into a Chinese university International Trade Practice course. Addressing the “two-skin phenomenon”—the disconnect between professional knowledge and values cultivation—we introduce an innovative “News Aggregation” approach as a contextualized CLIL strategy. Grounded in CLIL’s 4Cs framework, our design uses authentic news materials to create dynamic, experiential learning environments that simultaneously develop disciplinary knowledge, Business English proficiency, and ethical awareness, fostering cultural confidence and global responsibility. Through a detailed module-based redesign, we demonstrate how CLIL can support dual-focused instruction, enhancing engagement and critical thinking while incorporating civic values into professional education, preparing globally qualified graduates with a strong national identity. Our study contributes to international CLIL discourse by offering a transferable blueprint for integrating language, content, and values in specialized higher education contexts.