Incorporating Environmental Education Into TESOL Through Nature Journaling

Book excerpt: "In this thesis, I argue that nature journaling is a particularly meaningful tool for integrating place-based environmental education into English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for adults. The literature review is framed by place-based educational theory with a critical lens, i.e. critical pedagogy of place and translingual theory. The review yields three themes: nature journaling has the potential to foster nature connection, provide emotional scaffolding for language learning, and spark social connection and action. For adults in ESOL classes, nature journaling becomes a humanizing pedagogy to the degree that it helps students and teachers build a consciousness of shared vulnerability and translate it into a sense of connection and responsibility for the environment. A case study highlights the experience of one educator leading a nature journaling activity with a multilingual group, and curriculum recommendations offer teachers resources for incorporating nature journaling into adult ESOL classes."--leaf 2.