CLIL Promotes Innovative Practices in Higher Education at CNaPPEs 2025

The 11th edition of the National Congress of Pedagogical Practices in Higher Education (CNaPPEs) took place on July 10 and 11 at the University of Évora, bringing together 191 participants from various institutions across the country. The event has established itself as a space for exchange, reflection, and sharing of innovative pedagogical methodologies in higher education.

This year, the congress welcomed the INOV-NORTE consortium — Center of Excellence for Pedagogical Innovation in the Northern Region, made up of six higher education institutions that have joined forces to promote the decentralization of innovation and modernization initiatives in Portuguese higher education.

The Catholic University of Portugal (UCP), a member of this consortium, was represented by CLIL – Católica Learning Innovation Lab, reaffirming its commitment to quality teaching and pedagogical innovation.

As part of its participation, CLIL presented two initiatives that highlight different approaches to promoting the professional development of higher education teachers.

The first, titled Learning and Practice Communities in the Professional Development of Higher Education Teachers: insights from an experience focused on ‘agency’, was presented by Diana Soares, coordinator of CLIL and faculty member at the Faculty of Education and Psychology (FEP). This presentation highlighted the work of the Learning and Practice Communities (CAP), which function as collaborative spaces where teachers can plan, implement, and reflect on innovative teaching practices, strengthening their ability to act autonomously and sustainably.

The second presentation introduced the initiative Católica TIPS – Teaching Innovation Partnerships, led by Rita Tavares de Sousa, Education and Professional Development Specialist at CLIL, and Inês Monteiro, Pedagogical Innovation Specialist at CLIL. This initiative fosters an informal environment for sharing and discussion among teachers and researchers, using non-academic cultural stimuli such as literary excerpts, films, or podcasts as a starting point for reflecting on challenges and practices in higher education.

CLIL’s participation in CNaPPEs 2025 thus reinforces UCP’s and the INOV-NORTE consortium’s role in promoting a culture of innovation, reflection, and continuous improvement in higher education in Portugal.