Teaching English and the environment to EFL young learners in Turkey

Ozcan E. N., Gürsoy E.

ELT JOURNAL, 2026 (AHCI, SSCI, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1093/elt/ccaf056
  • Journal Name: ELT JOURNAL
  • Journal Indexes: Arts and Humanities Citation Index (AHCI), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Education Abstracts, Educational research abstracts (ERA), ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), MLA - Modern Language Association Database, DIALNET
  • Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This paper reports on a part of a larger practitioner research project focused on integrating environmental issues through critical language pedagogy into a young learner's classroom in Turkey. Drawing on Paulo Freire's problem-posing model grounded in critical pedagogy, the authors developed localized materials, and a pedagogic model rooted in six environmental themes derived from the students' lived experiences. The pedagogic model was implemented in a public primary setting with a group of fourth-grade students. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the students to understand the model's effectiveness in achieving its dual objectives: development of language and critical environmental awareness. The purpose of this paper is to present a theory-driven, practical, pedagogic model for practitioners seeking to develop their context-sensitive environmental ELT pedagogies.