English Language Learning Through Sustainability

Improve your English language skills to help drive change

With sustainability practices now included in many different environments, it’s important to understand the basic concepts of sustainability to help you communicate in your personal and professional life.

On this three-week course, you’ll learn how to explain, discuss, and implement sustainable change, using English as your communication tool.

You’ll discover how you can be part of a positive movement in your home, community, or workplace as you learn the vocabulary needed to address sustainability.

Learn how to discuss and improve sustainability practices

You’ll discover how you can apply practical solutions using the English language to help improve sustainability in your area.

You’ll identify any sustainable processes that are already in place before exploring how you can start to drive positive change.

Explore the sustainability goals at the University of Otago

You’ll learn the language needed to explain the 17 goals of sustainability (SDGs) as set out by the UN to help you gain a broader understanding of sustainability on a global scale.

Next, you’ll explore which sustainable goals are being carried out at the University of Otago, a world-leading institute and the first in New Zealand to sign the SDGs.

By the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge and confidence to communicate sustainability issues and implement change in your professional and personal environments.

This course is designed for EAL students with an interest in sustainability.

It will be of particular interest if you’re looking to upskill your English language ability by learning how to use specific vocabulary and grammar related to sustainability.

• Getting to know "sustainability." The UNs 17 Sustainability Development Goals
• Welcome
• Introduction to sustainability
• 17 Sustainability development goals (SDGs)
• Summary
• Carrying out the SDGs
• Welcome to Week 2
• 4-11 Sustainability development goals
• 12-17 Sustainability Development Goals
• Summary
• The SDGs in more detail. Case Study: "The Winds of Change."
• Welcome to Week 3
• Achieving the goals
• Common climate change issues
• Summary