Event known as COP26 (full title 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference) was one of the most significant events of 2021. Although this was the 26th such event in a row (previous one was way back in 2015, known as COP21), the public interest was never more intensive. The protest that broke out in Glasgow, city that hosted COP26, was the largest one since the 2003 anti-Iraq War marches. Similar protests broke out in another 100 countries globally. Although many believe that decisions reached during the summit are not nearly enough, for the first time in our history world countries were able to reach consensus on some important issues, such as decision to reduce the amount of coal used globally. Clearly, everyone is aware that our abuse of the environment is beyond any acceptable level.
Within the EU, hundreds of thousands of students attend courses in private language schools every year. Although their primary goal is to improve their language competence, the duty of all education is to encourage positive changes in society and individuals through transfer of knowledge and civic values. Language learning is a process that requires involvement of many important topics and issues, so why not include environmental sustainability as one of them? Considering the large number of students that go through our schools every year, implementation of environmental topics in our curriculum would have extremely positive impact towards environmental sustainability.
Hence our project goal is systematic implementation of environmental topics into language learning curricula. Part of the solution to this problem requires availability of adequate teaching materials with this specific content. Therefore, part of our project is development of such materials: educational videos, lesson plans and additional teaching materials that language teachers can use in their classrooms. The other part is development of teacher training materials, to ensure project sustainability and further transfer of our ideas through personal and professional development of teachers. At the same time, we will develop an online platform which will be used for storing and sharing such content, with goal of eliminating paper materials and ensuring eco-friendly distribution.
Jantar – IH Split is project coordinator, while our international partners include Molehill Holdings from Spain, International House Rouen from France and International House Galway from Ireland. All partners are also members of the non-profit association carrying the same name Green Standard Schools, which ensures implementation of eco-friendly business policies and practices in language schools.
