Integrating environmental issues to the

language classroom
• Integrating environmental issues into the language classroom serves
multiple purposes.
• It contributes to students' critical thinking and cognitive development
by providing them with examples of daily life and
social/environmental problems.
• By this method, students' cognitive and direct social awareness
increases.
Purpose of Integrating Environmental Issues:
• Language Skill Development:
Integrating environmental issues into the language classroom involves having students read
about and write on these topics, fostering written expression, while also encouraging
discussions, debates, and presentations to enhance oral communication skills.
• Cultural Awareness:
Understanding environmental issues in different cultural contexts can broaden students'
perspectives and enhance cross-cultural communication.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving:
Analyzing environmental problems encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills,
fostering a deeper understanding of complex global challenges.
• Civic Engagement:
Connecting language learning to real-world issues promotes a sense of responsibility and
encourages students to become informed and active global citizens.
Teacher and Student Roles:
Teacher's Role:
• Facilitator: Guide students in exploring and discussing environmental
topics.
• Resource Provider: Provide relevant materials and resources for
research and study.
• Language Model: Demonstrate proper language use and facilitate
language acquisition through environmental contexts.
Teacher and Student Roles:
Student's Role:
• Active Participant: Engage in discussions, debates, and group activities
related to environmental issues.
• Researcher: Conduct research on environmental topics to gather
information for assignments and discussions.
• Presenter: Share findings and opinions through presentations and
written assignments.
Considerations for Teachers:
• Sensitivity:
Be mindful of diverse perspectives on environmental issues, acknowledging cultural differences and varying
opinions among students.

• Level of Difficulty:
Tailor the content to the language proficiency level of the students, ensuring that the material is challenging yet
accessible.

• Incorporate Multiple Skills:

Integrate various language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) to provide a well-rounded language learning
experience.

• Interdisciplinary Approach:
Collaborate with other subject teachers to create interdisciplinary projects that connect language learning with
science, geography, or other relevant subjects.
Classroom Activities and Resources:
• For students to pay attention to the environmental issues they need
to be attractive and presented in a concrete way via pictures,
cartoons, videos, games, puppets.
• Hands-on activities, problem solving activities, displays and projects
are also great way to engage students.
• Children are visual, kinesthetic, imaginative, creative and talktive.
If the activities are enable the children to use these characteristics, the
learning outcomes would be higher.
Classroom Activities and Resources:
• We can use many of the environmental topics and simplify their
instruction to children's age and language level. Some of these topics
are:
• Planting
• Protecting animals
• Energy saving
• Global warming
• Water/air pollution