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Green Education and Sustainability in English Textbooks at the Intermediate Level in Pakistan: An Ecocritical Analysis
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Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is accepted globally as one of the key tools for attaining sustainable progress by the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) from 2005 to 2014. Many experts have noticed that the integration of sustainable development principles in the curriculum is one of the most important indicators impacting ESD success. In today’s industrial and technology-driven world, environmental challenges are becoming increasingly prevalent. Therefore, incorporating the teaching of ecological issues in educational institutions and creating awareness about these have become essential to protect and improve current ecosystems. The purpose of the study is to review the existing syllabus of English textbooks prescribed by the Federal Board of Education in Pakistan to explore if it integrates themes and issues related to the environment and the breadth and variety of themes pertaining to environmental concerns that are covered in these textbooks. Utilising Arran Stibbe’s (2015) Ecolinguistics framework, the present study conducts qualitative textual analysis to investigate how these textbooks frame environmental issues, evaluate concerns, and incorporate ideologies. The data has been collected from the English textbooks of intermediate level prescribed by the Federal Board of Pakistan. A variety of frames are used to draw attention to environmental issues, with the most common being crisis and moral obligation frames. Evaluative language exposes both positive and negative evaluations. This study makes a significant contribution to the discourse about environmental education.
Keywords
Ecolinguistics, environmental education, green curriculum, sustainable development.
References
Amjad, S., Zia, A. B., & Masood, M. (2022). Climate change: Students’ perspective on ecolinguistics elements in secondary English textbooks. Human Nature Journal of Social Sciences, 3(4), 479–490.
Asproulis, N. (2024). (Safe) water as the condition for sustainable development in light of the climate crisis: An Eastern Orthodox reflection. Religions, 15(11), 1326. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15111326
Baig, I. A., Naeem, T., & Zafar, A. (2023). A study of Sultan Bahu’s poetry through Arran Stibbe’s eco linguistic framework. Pakistan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 11(2), 4046–4054. https://doi.org/10.52131/pjhss.2023.1102.0484
Chaudhary, M. T., & Piracha, A. (2021). Natural disasters—origins, impacts, management. Encyclopedia, 1(4), 1101-1131.
Chen, S. (2016). Language and ecology: A content analysis of ecolinguistics as an emerging research field. Ampersand, 3, 108-116.
Chuku, E. N. (2018). Combining language learning with environmental awareness in Nigeria by using content-based instruction strategy. Icheke Journal of the Faculty of Humanities, 16(2), 383–401.
Do Couto, H. H. (2014). Ecological approaches in linguistics: a historical overview. Language Sciences, 41, 122-128.
Fill, A., & Muhlhausler, P. (2006). Ecolinguistics reader: Language, ecology and environment. A&C Black.
Franco, I., Saito, O., Vaughter, P., Whereat, J., Kanie, N., & Takemoto, K. (2019). Higher education for sustainable development: Actioning the global goals in policy, curriculum and practice. Sustainability Science, 14(6), 1621–1642. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-018-0628-4
Gabaudan, O. (2022). On a journey towards education for sustainable development in the foreign language curriculum. Language Learning in Higher Education, 12(2), 525–546. https://doi.org/10.1515/cercles-2022-2047
Jamil, M., Nosheen, S. S., & Saleem, A. (2024). Sustainability Education in Pakistan: Qualitative Content Analysis of English Textbook Grade X. Journal of Social & Organizational Matters, 3(2), 1-11.
Jawaid, A. (2021). Recycling practices and perceptions among rural primary school children in SJK Chung Hua Asajaya, Samarahan, Sarawak. Journal of Borneo-Kalimantan.
Kaur, P., & Moghal, A. J. (2013). Women’s resources and power dynamics in Sikh families in Malaysia. International Journal of Sociology of the Family, 77–92.
Kaur, P., Jawaid, A., Johnraj, D., Sangaran, S., Myint, K. T., Ul Haq, M. I., & Ramzan, H. (2022). Benchmarking framework for reading and knowledge growth: A Malaysian case. Webology, 19(2).
Kaur, P., Jawaid, A., Ming, K. H., Esa, M. S., Somroo, M. A., & Haq, I. U. (2020). Determinants, needs assessment, and solutions of youth homelessness in Malaysia. Ilkogretim Online – Elementary Education Online, 19(4), 3799–3816.
Lohar, A., & Iqbal, Z. (2023). Ecological discourse analysis of green content in English language textbooks in Pakistan. Journal of Language and Linguistics, 4(1), 1–8.
Mahnashi, M. H., Khan, A. U., Muhsinah, A. B., Alzahrani, H. A., Alqahtani, O., & Jawaid, A. (2025). Longan peel extract for eco-benign synthesis of gold nanoparticles: Antibacterial activity and microscopic determination of bacterial cell deterioration. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 128305.
Meier, B. M., Kayser, G. L., Kestenbaum, J. G., Amjad, U. Q., Dalcanale, F., & Bartram, J. (2014). Translating the human right to water and sanitation into public policy reform.Science and Engineering Ethics, 20, 833–848. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-013-9454-5
Ministry for the Environment. (2020, August 7). Environment Act 1986. New Zealand Government.https://environment.govt.nz/assets/publications/environment-act 1986.pdf
Naess, A., & Drengson, A. R. (2008), Ecology of wisdom: writings by Arne Naess.
Pratiwi, Y., Andayani, K., Roekhan, & Prastio, B. (2021). Environmental themes in BIPA textbook: Ecolinguistics perspective. In International Seminar on Language, Education, and Culture (pp. 323–333).
Stibbe, A. (2008). Reading and writing society: The role of English subjects in education for sustainability. English Subject Centre Newsletter, 14, 24–28.
Stibbe, A. (2015). Ecolinguistics: Language, ecology and the stories we live by. Routledge.
United Nations Office For Disaster Risk Reduction [UNDRR]. (2015). Sendai framework for action 2015–2030. Retrieved from: https://www.undrr.org/publication/sendai-framework-disaster risk-reduction-2015-2030. Last accessed on: May 17, 2023
United Nations. (1972, June). Report of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. http://www.un-documents.net/aconf48-14r1.pdf
Zahoor, M., & Janjua, F. (2020). Green contents in English language textbooks in Pakistan: An ecolinguistic and ecopedagogical appraisal. British Educational Research Journal, 46(2), 321–338. https://doi.org/10.1002/berj.3576.
Lahore Garrison University
Title: Green Education and Sustainability in English Textbooks at the Intermediate Level in Pakistan: An Ecocritical Analysis
Description:
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is accepted globally as one of the key tools for attaining sustainable progress by the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) from 2005 to 2014.
Many experts have noticed that the integration of sustainable development principles in the curriculum is one of the most important indicators impacting ESD success.
In today’s industrial and technology-driven world, environmental challenges are becoming increasingly prevalent.
Therefore, incorporating the teaching of ecological issues in educational institutions and creating awareness about these have become essential to protect and improve current ecosystems.
The purpose of the study is to review the existing syllabus of English textbooks prescribed by the Federal Board of Education in Pakistan to explore if it integrates themes and issues related to the environment and the breadth and variety of themes pertaining to environmental concerns that are covered in these textbooks.
Utilising Arran Stibbe’s (2015) Ecolinguistics framework, the present study conducts qualitative textual analysis to investigate how these textbooks frame environmental issues, evaluate concerns, and incorporate ideologies.
The data has been collected from the English textbooks of intermediate level prescribed by the Federal Board of Pakistan.
A variety of frames are used to draw attention to environmental issues, with the most common being crisis and moral obligation frames.
Evaluative language exposes both positive and negative evaluations.
This study makes a significant contribution to the discourse about environmental education.
Keywords
Ecolinguistics, environmental education, green curriculum, sustainable development.
References
Amjad, S.
, Zia, A.
B.
, & Masood, M.
(2022).
Climate change: Students’ perspective on ecolinguistics elements in secondary English textbooks.
Human Nature Journal of Social Sciences, 3(4), 479–490.
Asproulis, N.
(2024).
(Safe) water as the condition for sustainable development in light of the climate crisis: An Eastern Orthodox reflection.
Religions, 15(11), 1326.
https://doi.
org/10.
3390/rel15111326
Baig, I.
A.
, Naeem, T.
, & Zafar, A.
(2023).
A study of Sultan Bahu’s poetry through Arran Stibbe’s eco linguistic framework.
Pakistan Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 11(2), 4046–4054.
https://doi.
org/10.
52131/pjhss.
2023.
1102.
0484
Chaudhary, M.
T.
, & Piracha, A.
(2021).
Natural disasters—origins, impacts, management.
Encyclopedia, 1(4), 1101-1131.
Chen, S.
(2016).
Language and ecology: A content analysis of ecolinguistics as an emerging research field.
Ampersand, 3, 108-116.
Chuku, E.
N.
(2018).
Combining language learning with environmental awareness in Nigeria by using content-based instruction strategy.
Icheke Journal of the Faculty of Humanities, 16(2), 383–401.
Do Couto, H.
H.
(2014).
Ecological approaches in linguistics: a historical overview.
Language Sciences, 41, 122-128.
Fill, A.
, & Muhlhausler, P.
(2006).
Ecolinguistics reader: Language, ecology and environment.
A&C Black.
Franco, I.
, Saito, O.
, Vaughter, P.
, Whereat, J.
, Kanie, N.
, & Takemoto, K.
(2019).
Higher education for sustainable development: Actioning the global goals in policy, curriculum and practice.
Sustainability Science, 14(6), 1621–1642.
https://doi.
org/10.
1007/s11625-018-0628-4
Gabaudan, O.
(2022).
On a journey towards education for sustainable development in the foreign language curriculum.
Language Learning in Higher Education, 12(2), 525–546.
https://doi.
org/10.
1515/cercles-2022-2047
Jamil, M.
, Nosheen, S.
S.
, & Saleem, A.
(2024).
Sustainability Education in Pakistan: Qualitative Content Analysis of English Textbook Grade X.
Journal of Social & Organizational Matters, 3(2), 1-11.
Jawaid, A.
(2021).
Recycling practices and perceptions among rural primary school children in SJK Chung Hua Asajaya, Samarahan, Sarawak.
Journal of Borneo-Kalimantan.
Kaur, P.
, & Moghal, A.
J.
(2013).
Women’s resources and power dynamics in Sikh families in Malaysia.
International Journal of Sociology of the Family, 77–92.
Kaur, P.
, Jawaid, A.
, Johnraj, D.
, Sangaran, S.
, Myint, K.
T.
, Ul Haq, M.
I.
, & Ramzan, H.
(2022).
Benchmarking framework for reading and knowledge growth: A Malaysian case.
Webology, 19(2).
Kaur, P.
, Jawaid, A.
, Ming, K.
H.
, Esa, M.
S.
, Somroo, M.
A.
, & Haq, I.
U.
(2020).
Determinants, needs assessment, and solutions of youth homelessness in Malaysia.
Ilkogretim Online – Elementary Education Online, 19(4), 3799–3816.
Lohar, A.
, & Iqbal, Z.
(2023).
Ecological discourse analysis of green content in English language textbooks in Pakistan.
Journal of Language and Linguistics, 4(1), 1–8.
Mahnashi, M.
H.
, Khan, A.
U.
, Muhsinah, A.
B.
, Alzahrani, H.
A.
, Alqahtani, O.
, & Jawaid, A.
(2025).
Longan peel extract for eco-benign synthesis of gold nanoparticles: Antibacterial activity and microscopic determination of bacterial cell deterioration.
Journal of Molecular Liquids, 128305.
Meier, B.
M.
, Kayser, G.
L.
, Kestenbaum, J.
G.
, Amjad, U.
Q.
, Dalcanale, F.
, & Bartram, J.
(2014).
Translating the human right to water and sanitation into public policy reform.
Science and Engineering Ethics, 20, 833–848.
https://doi.
org/10.
1007/s11948-013-9454-5
Ministry for the Environment.
(2020, August 7).
Environment Act 1986.
New Zealand Government.
https://environment.
govt.
nz/assets/publications/environment-act 1986.
pdf
Naess, A.
, & Drengson, A.
R.
(2008), Ecology of wisdom: writings by Arne Naess.
Pratiwi, Y.
, Andayani, K.
, Roekhan, & Prastio, B.
(2021).
Environmental themes in BIPA textbook: Ecolinguistics perspective.
In International Seminar on Language, Education, and Culture (pp.
323–333).
Stibbe, A.
(2008).
Reading and writing society: The role of English subjects in education for sustainability.
English Subject Centre Newsletter, 14, 24–28.
Stibbe, A.
(2015).
Ecolinguistics: Language, ecology and the stories we live by.
Routledge.
United Nations Office For Disaster Risk Reduction [UNDRR].
(2015).
Sendai framework for action 2015–2030.
Retrieved from: https://www.
undrr.
org/publication/sendai-framework-disaster risk-reduction-2015-2030.
Last accessed on: May 17, 2023
United Nations.
(1972, June).
Report of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment.
http://www.
un-documents.
net/aconf48-14r1.
pdf
Zahoor, M.
, & Janjua, F.
(2020).
Green contents in English language textbooks in Pakistan: An ecolinguistic and ecopedagogical appraisal.
British Educational Research Journal, 46(2), 321–338.
https://doi.
org/10.
1002/berj.
3576.
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