Integrating Climate Change Education into Secondary School English Lessons: A Project-Based Approach Using Trade Books

Authors

  • Masitoh Masitoh Universitas Sriwijaya, Indonesia
  • Sary Silvhiany Universitas Sriwijaya, Indonesia
  • Rita Inderawati Universitas Sriwijaya, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33394/jo-elt.v12i1.15272

Keywords:

Climate Change, English Language Teaching (ELT), Environmental Sustainability, Trade Books

Abstract

As the urgency of addressing climate change and promoting environmental sustainability continues to rise, educational institutions play a crucial role in equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary for responsible citizenship. Recognizing the need for innovative teaching strategies in this area, this study investigates the integration of trade books into secondary school English lessons to enhance students' understanding of these pressing global issues. This study employed a design-based research (DBR) approach to develop and implement a project-based climate change education program integrated into English Language Teaching (ELT) for junior high school students. Conducted at the Public Junior High School Lalan, a remote area in South Sumatra, the study aimed to enhance students' climate literacy by exploring their existing knowledge, addressing climate change topics in the classroom, and identifying challenges in the implementation process. A total of 52 ninth-grade students, selected through purposive sampling, participated in the study. Data were collected through surveys and in-depth interviews conducted before and after the intervention. The interviews explored students’ experiences, perspectives, and changes in understanding related to climate change. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the interview transcripts, revealing shifts in students’ awareness and knowledge. The findings indicate that integrating climate change education into ELT through a project-based approach can effectively support students’ climate literacy and contribute to a more sustainable mindset among learners.

Author Biography

Sary Silvhiany, Universitas Sriwijaya

Dr. Sary Silvhiany is a lecturer at English Education, Sriwijaya University. She earned her PhD from Indiana University Bloomington, USA and her MA from the University of Arizona, USA and M.Pd from Sriwijaya University. Her research focuses on literacy as social and critical practices, multilingual inquiry pedagogy, & Teacher Education.

References

Anderson, T., & Shattuck, J. (2012). Design-Based Research. Educational Researcher, 41(1), 16–25. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X11428813

Campbell, S., Greenwood, M., Prior, S., Shearer, T., Walkem, K., Young, S., Bywaters, D., & Walker, K. (2020). Purposive sampling: complex or simple? Research case examples. Journal of Research in Nursing, 25(8), 652–661. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987120927206

Chen, K., & Chen, C. (2021). Effects of STEM Inquiry Method on Learning Attitude and Creativity. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 17(11), em2031. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/11254

Cho, H.-J., Jo, J.-H., Choi, N., Choi, J., & Park, W. (2022). Environmental themes and ecosystem services in picture books about forests for sustainability education. Journal of Forest Research, 27(6), 419–428. https://doi.org/10.1080/13416979.2022.2087667

Choi, S.-Y., Won, A.-R., Chu, H.-E., Cha, H.-J., Shin, H., & Kim, C.-J. (2021). The Impacts of a Climate Change SSI-STEAM Program on Junior High School Students’ Climate Literacy. Asia-Pacific Science Education, 7(1), 96–133. https://doi.org/10.1163/23641177-bja10019

Duran, M., & Bozok, Ş. (2021). Views of Pre-School Teacher Candidates on Sustainable Development. Journal of Individual Differences in Education, 3(2), 44–59. https://doi.org/10.47156/jide.1031352

El Azzouzi, A., Elachqar, A., & Kaddari, F. (2023). Integrating Environmental Education Into Physics Instruction: Insights From Teachers Regarding Students’ Engagement. Randwick International of Education and Linguistics Science Journal, 4(3), 491–499. https://doi.org/10.47175/rielsj.v4i3.787

Huang, H., & Hsin, C. Te. (2023). Environmental Literacy Education and Sustainable Development in Schools Based on Teaching Effectiveness. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 18(5), 1639–1648. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsdp.180535

Jasmine, M. P., Silvhiany, S., & Inderawati, R. (2025). Exploring Young Learners’ Needs in Multimodal Text Design for Integrating Sustainable Education into ELT. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 13(2), 785. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v13i2.13775

Jung, C. D., & Dos Santos, L. M. (2022). Incorporating Environmentally-Responsive EFL Pedagogy in English-as-a-Foreign Language Classrooms: Paving the Way for Global Impact. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 987(1), 012017. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/987/1/012017

Karpudewan, M., Roth, W.-M., & Abdullah, M. N. S. Bin. (2015). Enhancing Primary School Students’ Knowledge about Global Warming and Environmental Attitude Using Climate Change Activities. International Journal of Science Education, 37(1), 31–54. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2014.958600

Kazantzidou, D., & Kotsis, K. T. (2023). Errors and inaccuracies about celestial bodies in the Greek texts of children’s fiction books about atmospheric pollution. International Journal of Professional Development, Learners and Learning, 5(2), ep2314. https://doi.org/10.30935/ijpdll/13754

Kundariati, M., Ibrohim, I., Rohman, F., Nida, S., Hayuana, W., & Putra, Z. A. Z. (2024). Exploring students’ climate change perception: the key factor of climate change mitigation and adaptation. JPBI (Jurnal Pendidikan Biologi Indonesia), 10(1), 185–194. https://doi.org/10.22219/jpbi.v10i1.32655

Maskana, N., Mirizon, S., & Silvhiany, S. (2024). Developing audiovisual media to facilitate the integration of climate literacy in EFL teaching. Universitas Sriwijaya.

Maskana, N., Silvhiany, S., & Mirizon, S. (2024). Unlocking the Needs to Design Audiovisual Media to Incorporate Climate Change Education in ELT. Journal of English Education and Teaching Home Current Archives Anno, 8(1), 106–128.

Mbokazi, M. S., Mkhasibe, R. G., & Uleanya, C. (2021). Measuring the Effectiveness of Environmental Education Programmes in Promoting Sustainable Living in Secondary Schools. Technium Social Sciences Journal, 23, 164–176. https://doi.org/10.47577/tssj.v23i1.2838

Mebane, M. E., Benedetti, M., Barni, D., & Francescato, D. (2023). Promoting Climate Change Awareness with High School Students for a Sustainable Community. Sustainability, 15(14), 11260. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411260

Nurhaliza, S., Silvhiany, S., & Inderawati, R. (2024). Integrating Climate Change Education in English Lessons and P5 Projects in Junior High Schools. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 12(4), 1926. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v12i4.12622

Nyimbili, F., & Nyimbili, L. (2024). Types of Purposive Sampling Techniques with Their Examples and Application in Qualitative Research Studies. British Journal of Multidisciplinary and Advanced Studies, 5(1), 90–99. https://doi.org/10.37745/bjmas.2022.0419

Oliveira, K. K. de S., & de Souza, R. A. C. (2021). Digital Transformation towards Education 4.0. Informatics in Education. https://doi.org/10.15388/infedu.2022.13

Pandey, D. R. (2024). The role of English in disseminating environmental knowledge and awareness globally. In Recent Advances in Applied Science & Technology towards Sustainable Environment. Noble Science Press. https://doi.org/10.52458/9788197112492.nsp.2024.eb.ch-20

Papavasileiou, V., Poimenidis, D., & Ioannidou, G. (2022). Knowledge and practices on the subject of energy conservation as part of primary school 6th graders’ energy literacy. IJAEDU- International E-Journal of Advances in Education, 7–12. https://doi.org/10.18768/ijaedu.1068750

Paudel, M., Singh, A., Sharma, S., Singh, G. B., & Wilder, R. (2024). (Dis)connection between curriculum, pedagogy and learners’ lived experience in Nepal’s secondary schools: an environmental (in)justice perspective. Global Social Challenges Journal, 3, 9–30. https://doi.org/10.1332/27523349Y2024D000000010

Perera, E. A. C. N., Mahaliyana, A. S., Keppetigoda, D., & De Alwis, L. W. R. (2024). Assessment of environmental attitudes and behavior of secondary school students in Sri Lanka. Agricultural and Environmental Education, 3(2), em007. https://doi.org/10.29333/agrenvedu/15484

Putri, C., & Silvhiany, S. (2022). Exploring the use of picture books about environment in supporting marginal children’s development of ecoliteracy. Sriwijaya University.

Putri, C., Silvhiany, S., & Inderawati, R. (2024). Empowering young learners: Integrating climate change education with bilingual picture books in ELT. English Review: Journal of English Education, 12(2), 601–616. https://doi.org/10.25134/erjee.v12i2.9889

Rao, M. J. (2024). The Quest for Fluency: English Language Challenges for Non-Native Learners. International Journal of English Literature and Social Sciences, 9(3), 469–472. https://doi.org/10.22161/ijels.93.59

Rasis, R., Paidi, Suhartini, Kuswanto, H., & Hartanti, R. D. (2023). The Effect of Environmental Education Open Inquiry Learning Kits on the Environmental Literacy of Pre-service Biology Teachers. Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability, 25(1), 40–63. https://doi.org/10.2478/jtes-2023-0004

Rodés-Paragarino, V., Ramirez-Montoya, M. S., Morales Maure, L., & Rosales, R. (2024). Complex thinking model with sustainable development goals: Analysis with scenario-based learning for future education. Journal of Infrastructure, Policy and Development, 8(7), 4580. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i7.4580

Silvhiany, S., Kurniawan, D., & Safrina, S. (2023). Climate change awareness in ELT: Ethnography in connected learning and ecojustice pedagogy. Journal of English Language Teaching Innovations and Materials, 5(2), 91–109.

Silvhiany, S., Kurniawan, D., & Safrina, S. (2024). Teaching about climate change in EFL teacher education: Curricular engagement for critical awareness. AIP Conference Proceedings, 3052(1), 020063. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0201005

Silvhiany, S., Rahmadhani, S., Inderawati, R., Meilinda, M., & Trilestari, K. (2023). Integrating Climate Change into English Language Teaching: A Survey of Indonesian Teachers’ Preparedness and Perspectives. Voice of English Language Education Society, 7(3), 801–815.

Tolysbayeva, M., Irmak, A., & Utegenova, Z. (2023). Energy-saving behavior of the population formation in the education system. ECONOMIC SERIES OF THE BULLETIN OF THE L.N. GUMILYOV ENU, 3, 249–278. https://doi.org/10.32523/2789-4320-2023-3-249-278

Uma, P. (2024). Integrating Resilience Considerations into English Language Teaching in the Context of Climate Change. Shanlax International Journal of English, 12(S1-Feb), 5–11. https://doi.org/10.34293/english.v12iS1-Feb.7404

Vladova, I. (2023). Towards a More Sustainable Future: The Importance of Environmental Education in Developing Attitudes towards Environmental Protection. SHS Web of Conferences, 176, 01009. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202317601009

Downloads

Published

2025-06-26

How to Cite

Masitoh, M., Silvhiany, S., & Inderawati, R. (2025). Integrating Climate Change Education into Secondary School English Lessons: A Project-Based Approach Using Trade Books. Jo-ELT (Journal of English Language Teaching) Fakultas Pendidikan Bahasa & Seni Prodi Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris IKIP, 12(1), 84–102. https://doi.org/10.33394/jo-elt.v12i1.15272

Issue

Section

Articles

Citation Check