The UN established the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), an ambitious global development plan, eight years ago. Wealth, health, education, employment, justice, sustainability, and preservation of the natural environment are among the aims to build a sustainable and equitable future for all.
It's likely worthwhile to fight for. Why, then, should English teachers be concerned about the SDGs? The potential influence of educators on the values and behaviors of their students holds the key to the solution. Particularly English teachers have the opportunity to incorporate global issues and sustainable development into their courses, motivating students to become engaged citizens of the world prepared to meet the difficulties we face.
The SDGs should be on the ELT's radar for five reasons.
English is an international language
Over two billion people speak English, making it the most widely used language in the world. Development, diplomacy, science, and even protest are all conducted internationally.
An English language tutor from https://livexp.com/skills/english prepares students to participate in these global discussions by teaching English through sustainable development. This gives students the communication skills to interact with people from different backgrounds and work toward shared objectives.
The SDGs encourage transdisciplinary education
The SDGs are a comprehensive framework that deals with various interconnected problems. As a result, they give teachers a chance to combine English with courses like physics and social studies. The SDGs can be used by English language tutors to promote cooperation on practical issues that call for original and critical thought.
The SDGs encourage global citizenship and empathy
Fundamentally, the SDGs are about making the world more just and equal so everyone can prosper. LiveXP's English instructors can build a sense of global citizenship in students of all ages and an appreciation for many cultures, viewpoints, and experiences through the SDGs. Learners can examine their values and attitudes while considering the effects of global concerns on people everywhere. They can also discover methods to change the world.
The SDGs promote a solutions-focused approach to contentious issues
Speaking about issues like poverty and climate breakdown may sound depressing. Still, many resources, like the Voices Projects series, are available for teachers who want to incorporate sustainable development into their lessons.
We still have time to prevent the dire repercussions of failing to meet the SDGs!
In her 2019 speech to the World Economic Forum, Greta Thunberg said, "I want you to act as you would in a crisis. Please work as though our home is on fire since it is. Every action you perform during an emergency must be directed toward ending the situation; everything else must be put on hold. Therefore, it is our responsibility as English teachers to make sure that our lessons aid in resolving the social and environmental crises that the SDGs target, even if only in a small way. It's still due!