About this session
Education is key to bring attitudinal change to climate change, which has become an apprehension of everyone in our world.
Hence, bringing new methods of teaching in classroom should be part of the rigorous efforts undertaken to save the dying Mother Earth. As there is no climate action without environmental action, 21st century teachers need to incorporate environmental and climatic issues in their teachings whatever subject they are teaching.
As an English language and literature teacher in Woldia University, Ethiopia, I have an experience of integrating stories of environmental destructions and climate issues in EFL classrooms. Storytelling helps me bring the environmental scenes to classroom as lively as possible and integrate language skills of my young university learners. With storytelling, my learners could improve their classroom participation and speaking abilities, feel sympathy to destruction of nature, encouraged to develop their environmental and climate literacy alongside their language skills.
Green stories allow learners with fresh outlook, create sense of connections, foster learners’ environmental stewardship and interest in local and global sustainability. Storytelling is effective to raise awareness of environmental action and how we should address the issue alongside language skills if it is presented through multi-voice, humour and immersive techniques.
Watch the recording below
About the speaker
Daganchew Adefris Gebrehiwot holds a PhD, MA, and BA in English Literature. He received his BA degree from Hawassa University in 2009, his MA in 2011 and his PhD in 2020 from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
Daganchew currently works as senior lecturer and researcher in the Department of English Language and literature, Woldia University, Ethiopia. He has over seven years’ teaching experience as English language and literature teacher and teacher researcher. His specialist interests include teaching English language skills, African postcolonial literature, environmental humanities, climate fiction and storytelling and youth literature in tertiary classes.
Comments
environmental education
Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges of our time. It refers to long-term shifts and alterations in temperature, precipitation, and weather patterns, primarily caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. The effects of climate change are already being felt, including rising global temperatures, more extreme weather events, sea level rise, and disruptions to ecosystems and biodiversity. It is crucial that governments, businesses, and individuals work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, and implement sustainable practices in order to mitigate the impact of climate change and protect the planet for future generations. Immediate and collective action is necessary to avoid the most severe consequences.
Education plays a crucial role in addressing climate change by raising awareness, fostering understanding, and empowering individuals to take action. By integrating climate change topics into educational curricula, students can learn about the science behind global warming, the impacts on ecosystems and communities, and the steps needed to mitigate these effects. Education not only helps people understand the urgency of the crisis but also encourages sustainable behaviors, such as reducing waste, conserving energy, and supporting green technologies. Moreover, informed communities are more likely to advocate for policies and initiatives that promote environmental protection and climate resilience. As we face the challenges of a changing climate, education must be at the heart of global efforts to create a sustainable and equitable future for all.