This contrasts with an atomistic approach to language, which attempts to analyse language into parts, such as grammatical structures or functional exponents, which can later become the content of a syllabus. A holistic approach would focus on everything the learner needs to know to communicate effectively.
Example
Young learners have a set of daily tasks in the classroom including cleaning the board and collecting materials. This is all done in the target language.
In the classroom
Content-based instruction, language across the curriculum, the Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach and topic-based syllabi take a holistic approach by using a framework of meaningful content.
Further links:
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/which-syllabus-traditional-holistic-syllabus
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/exploring-uk-esolefl-divide