Want to make a difference in the world while teaching English abroad? Integrating environmental awareness into your lessons is a powerful way to do both. By educating students about environmental issues and empowering them to take action, you can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Why combine English language teaching with environmental education?
- Engaging Content: Environmental topics are inherently interesting and relevant to students’ lives, making learning more engaging.
- Global Citizenship: It fosters a sense of global citizenship and responsibility towards the planet.
- Language Skills Development: Environmental themes provide a rich context for developing vocabulary, grammar, and critical thinking skills.
- Positive Impact: You inspire students to become environmentally conscious individuals who can make a difference in their communities.
“Teach English, Teach About the Environment” Curriculum
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers a fantastic resource: “Teach English, Teach About the Environment”. This free, downloadable curriculum introduces basic concepts about individual environmental responsibility to adult English language learners.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- Lesson Plans for All Levels: Beginner, intermediate, and advanced lessons with clear language and environmental objectives.
- Hands-on Activities: A multi-sensory approach with interactive activities to reinforce learning.
- Comprehensive Materials: Each lesson includes background information, materials lists, glossaries, and worksheets.
Download the curriculum here: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-09/documents/tesol.pdf
Beyond the Curriculum: More Ways to Teach Green in 2025
- Incorporate current events: Discuss recent environmental news stories, using them as a basis for language activities.
- Organize eco-projects: Engage students in local environmental initiatives like tree planting, clean-up drives, or community gardening.
- Promote sustainable practices: Encourage students to adopt eco-friendly habits in their daily lives, such as reducing waste, conserving water, and using public transport.
- Use technology: Utilize online resources, videos, and interactive simulations to explore environmental topics.
- Connect with local organizations: Collaborate with environmental NGOs to provide guest speakers or organize field trips.
Teaching English abroad offers a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment. By integrating environmental education into your lessons, you can empower your students to become agents of change and contribute to a more sustainable future for all.
Download Teach English, Teach About the Environment, a curriculum that introduces basic concepts about individual environmental responsibility, and discover ways you can help the environment by teaching English abroad.
