THE IMPORTANCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

In response to the global climate change issue, UNESCO declared the importance of education and training in addressing climate change by providing education services, including language education. This study looks into the significance of incorporating climate change into EFL classrooms at the university level. It employs a qualitative method design for which the data were gathered by doing interviews. Fifteen questions were given to seven English Education lecturers (three lecturers from Malaysia and four lecturers from Indonesia). The questions were about the importance and the lecturers’ experiences in integrating climate change issues in EFL classes. According to the study's findings, lecturers in Malaysia and Indonesia believe that integrating climate change education into EFL classrooms is crucial. It promotes students' understanding of environmental issues and develops critical thinking. The lecturers additionally pointed out that discussing climate change in the EFL classroom enhances interdisciplinary learning and research opportunities. However, climate change materials are still limited in their integration into language learning activities in Malaysian and Indonesian universities due to a lack of institutional and curriculum monitoring. Only a few lecturers presented the climate change issue topic by looking at the opportunities to present it to the class. Furthermore, the instructors advised using interactive media and materials to help EFL students understand the issue of climate change. They also proposed a university and curriculum regulation for incorporating climate change topics into EFL classrooms. This study provides important insight for educational practitioners and decision-makers interested in promoting and designing curricula about integrating climate change issues in EFL classrooms

Keywords: Climate change, English Education, EFL classroom, Lecturer.