As the world continues to face growing environmental challenges, the concept of sustainability has become increasingly significant in all areas of life, including in the classroom. Sustainability refers to meeting our current needs without compromising the planet for future generations.
In the context of the English language classroom, this means adopting practices that minimise environmental impact while promoting awareness of global issues. Our practices should align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With many teachers starting a new school term, now is the perfect time to consider making some changes that can lead to a more sustainable school. Let’s look at some simple steps you can take.
Assess and plan
Before implementing changes, assess the current state of your classroom.
- Consider your materials: Do an inventory of the materials you use, the equipment you have available, and the procedures you follow every day. Reflect on how these aspects contribute to consumption and waste. For example, do you use reusable resources? How much plastic is involved? How much do you recycle or dispose of? Do you use any eco-friendly school supplies? By doing this, you can identify areas where you can introduce more sustainable practices.
Use eco-friendly school supplies
One of the most simple steps you can take to make your classroom more sustainable is to reconsider the materials you use regularly. You can do this by answering the questions from your planning and assessment stage of the process.
- Digital platforms: Where possible, make a sustainable change and shift from paper-based activities to digital tools and platforms. This not only reduces the amount of paper used but also streamlines assignments and assessments so that everything is in one place.
- Reusable classroom materials: If going digital isn’t feasible, consider alternatives like whiteboards with refillable markers or alternatives to single-use notebooks. You could also encourage a school-wide initiative to collect materials that have been slightly used but can still be used for something else. For example, students can donate their books from previous levels or classes, or take empty pages out of their old notebooks so that they don’t go to waste.
Use energy-efficient equipment
The equipment used in your classroom and school plays a significant role in overall energy consumption. Where possible, evaluate the technology and tools used in your school to lead to more sustainable choices and more sustainable schools.
- Energy-efficient technology: Consider the energy consumption of the devices used in your classroom, such as computers, projectors, and lights. It may be something to discuss with the director of studies or organisation head, but gradually switching to energy-efficient alternatives like LED lights can reduce your school’s carbon footprint.
- Daily power down routine: Encourage students to turn off equipment and lights when they’re not being used. Make this a part of the end-of-day or end-of-class routine – make sure lights are off and electronics are unplugged.
Consider lesson content
Incorporating sustainability into your lesson plans can inspire students to think about their own impact on the environment and is a simple step to take.
- Sustainability in the curriculum: Evaluate your curriculum or course materials to see they include sustainability topics. If not, look for ways to integrate green issues into your lessons by using supplementary and authentic materials. You could use reading, listening and video to look at environmental topics or have class discussions on the environmental impact of everyday actions.
- Low-footprint trips: Where possible, plan trips out of school to allow students to see the environmental impact in action. For example, you could visit local recycling centres, allotments or community gardens, or nature reserves.
Continue your professional development
As a teacher, staying informed about sustainability is essential. There are many resources available to help you learn and implement sustainable practices in your classroom.
- Collaborative learning: Look for opportunities for professional development in sustainability. This could involve attending workshops, webinars or participating in online forums like ELT Footprint, where educators share ideas and resources for promoting sustainability in language teaching.
By making these changes, you can contribute towards a more sustainable environment and sustainable school whilst also teaching your students about their impact, helping them become better global citizens.
To read more about the SDGs, click here.
