Teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) for sustainable development (SD): the case of oral communication

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of this paper was to explore how the teaching of EFL oral communication can facilitate the development of sustainable development competences among learners. To do this, the study was divided in two sections. The first section defined the pillars, goals and competences related to sustainable development. The theoretical framework, namely Vygotsky’s interactionism theory was also dealt with in the same part. Moreover, some precisions were delivered as far as the concept of oral communication is concerned. This helped understand that oral communication can be either interactional, transactional or performance type. The second section underlines that inclusion and equity, collaboration and cooperation between learners, and the use of SD-related themes in the teaching of EFL oral communication can facilitate the demonstration of sustainable development competences among learners. Keywords: sustainable development (SD), sustainable development goals (SDGs), sustainable development competences, teaching of oral communication