Environmental Concerns and English Language Teaching in Saudi Context: Perceptions and Practices

Abstract

The present study aims to analyze the English language teachers’ perceptions and practices in Saudi Arabia from the perspective of environmental education. The drive is firstly to record and scrutinize teachers’ perceptions regarding the incorporation of environmental education as part of ELT. Secondly, it explores whether or not they integrate environmental concerns into their teaching materials and practices. For this purpose, mixed-method research was used using a questionnaire and a focus group interview as tools of the study. The findings reveal not-up-to-par responses with respect to the attitudes of ELT teachers toward the integration of environmental education in the ELT curriculum. Moreover, their current practices also lack such focus in their classrooms though they apprehend its significance in light of contemporary environmental concerns. The study suggests that this needs to be focused on a preliminary basis by the concerned stakeholders to educate and equip the ELT teachers for the purpose.