Content-Based Instruction: Teaching English and the “Green Movement” to Students in China

Abstract

Content-based instruction was used to teach English and the importance of the relationship between humans and nature to Chinese students in an intensive English program in China. The authors used a nature thematic-unit to teach college students about critical issues related to the environment and how to respect Mother Earth. Three major topics were taught to the college students in a summer class in China: 1) We are the World 2) Green and Sustainability Efforts, and 3) Appreciating Nature-What You Can Do. Issues of preparation to teach English overseas and cultural assumptions related to the thematic unit will be discussed. It is important to examine the nature-related  thematic unit designed to teach English to Chinese college students because it created high student engagement in the topic and English learning. It is meaningful to explore the nature-related thematic unit because the topic "protecting the environment" relates to all college students as well as every person alive.

Keywords: ESL, content-based instruction, go-green movement, China