Integrating Environmental Education in the English Education Curriculum

Publisher: Bicol University PDF

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of EE mainstreaming in the English Education courses of the Teacher Education program in the member universities of the National Network of Normal Schools (3NS). It specifically aimed to develop a curriculum guide on integrating EE in the English Education courses, to determine the effectiveness of the EE-enriched English Education lessons in enhancing the environmental competence of the pre-service teachers, and to identify the good practices in integrating EE in the English Education course. Using the developmental-descriptive research method, the study involved 270 third pre-service teachers in the eight universities during the school year 2016- 2107. Data were gathered through the juror-validation of the curriculum guide and lessons, validated researcher-made pre-test and post-test, class observation, and focus group discussion. Results reveal that the curriculum guide included the necessary features and served as a practical reference to the teacher in integrating EE in the lessons and delivering the lessons. The EE-enriched lessons effectively enhanced the students' level of environmental competence, as shown by the significant increase in the post-test results with an overall t-test result of 1.69375. The assessment of the practices in integrating EE in the English Education courses has shown good practices in terms of instructional materials development, delivery of the lesson, interaction with students, and assessment. The good practices indicate the favorable mainstreaming of EE in the English Education curriculum and help provide the students with favorable learning experiences on EE. It is recommended to disseminate the validated curriculum guide and lessons to other institutions offering English Education as a field of specialization in the Teacher Education program and to sustain the good practices in integrating EE in the English Education courses. Overall, the institutionalization of EE mainstreaming in English Education courses is highly recommended.