Promoting language education for sustainable development: a program effects case study in Japanese higher education
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education
ISSN: 1467-6370
Article publication date: 18 May 2020
Issue publication date: 8 June 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of education for sustainable development (ESD) approaches in English as a foreign language (EFL) in Japanese higher education.
Design/methodology/approach
A content and language integrated learning (CLIL) University-level course was run over two separate semesters: the first as a lecture-based course and the second was a similar course that integrated ESD best-practice. A program effects case study was used to see if any significant changes could be measured between the separate semesters. A mixed-methods approach to data collection was used and student marks, survey results using values, beliefs and norms (VBN) model and reflection tasks were collected across the two courses.
Findings
A meaningful change in the ascription of responsibility and personal norms was present in the ESD best-practice course. This shows that ESD best-practice integration into language teaching has a positive impact on student environmental VBN and more research is necessary for this area.
Practical implications
ESD integrated into language teaching correlates positively with environmental behavior change according to the VBN-model. A new field of study is proposed, language education for sustainable development, to better integrate the disciplines of EFL and ESD.
Originality/value
This study is looking at the integration of ESD in language teaching and CLIL based courses in Higher Education and, at present, there are no other studies of this kind.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This article was written as part of the author’s doctoral research undertaken at Kyoto University and while teaching at Kwansei Gakuin University; the author would therefore like to thank Dr Jane Singer for her support and the students at Kwansei Gakuin University for their participation. Additionally, the author extends a special thank you to Ben Thanyawatpokin and Dr Aeric Wong for their input during the research process.
Citation
Jodoin, J.J. (2020), "Promoting language education for sustainable development: a program effects case study in Japanese higher education", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 21 No. 4, pp. 779-798. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-09-2019-0258
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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