Teaching English for sustainability - Rachel Bowden

What does sustainability mean to you and how can education get us there? In this engaging presentation I'll be locating TEFL within the wider context of education for sustainability and arguing how what we teach, how we teach, who we teach, who we are as teachers, where we teach and why we teach gives us a unique role in this process.

Education for Sustainability is an exciting, emerging paradigm that reflects a much broader move to answer the global social, economic and environmental challenges that are becoming increasingly pronounced and urgent. I strongly believe that being aware of this 'vision', and locating their own values and beliefs in relation to it, will enable educators to take a conscious stance in their approach to teaching and learning. As my presentation will argue, a lot of existing ELT practice readily lends itself to the kind of transformative education that is needed. Recognising what we do well and how it connects to a bigger picture, indeed how we can connect ourselves and our learners to broader debates, will ensure that this 'good practice' is shared and informed by other educational theory and practice.

I am currently studying for a masters in Education for Sustainability (Msc) at London Southbank University.