Sustainable Development in English Language Teaching: Prevailing Trends, Challenges, and Outcomes
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##
Abstract
The current trends, challenges, and outcomes of integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into English Language Teaching (ELT) are examined in this review. This study employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) technique and systematically reviewed 25 research articles identified through a targeted search with keywords such as "SDGs," and "ELT." The data set includes 25 articles sourced from Taylor Francis, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, covering publications between 2020 to 2024. Findings reveal that integrating SDGs in ELT content fosters critical thinking, empathy, and engagement among students, enhancing both their language skills and global citizenship values. Despite the benefits, there are challenges, including limited awareness of SDGs, inadequate resources, and alignment issues with language curriculum goals. The review highlights positive outcomes in student engagement and language acquisition when SDGs content is incorporated, as well as increased motivation among teachers to pursue sustainability-oriented pedagogies. Future recommendations stress the need for continuous teacher training, the development of interdisciplinary approaches, and institutional support to facilitate meaningful SDGs integration in ELT.
Downloads
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.details##
Copyright (c) 2025 Nurul Latifatul Azizah, Ali Mustofa, Pratiwi Retnaningdyah

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Adams, K., & Nakano, S. (n.d.). Connecting Student Interest and Motivation in English to the Sustainable Development Goals. In IAFOR Journal of Education: Language Learning in Education (Vol. 12).
Alcantud-Díaz, M., & LLoret-Catalá, C. (2023). Bridging the gap between teacher training and society. Sustainable development goals (SDGs) in English as a foreign language (EFL). Globalisation, Societies and Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/14767724.2023.2283510
Amin, M. Al, & Greenwood, J. (2018). The un sustainable development goals and teacher development for effective english teaching in Bangladesh: A gap that needs bridging. In Journal of Teacher Education for Sustainability (Vol. 20, Issue 2, pp. 118–138). Sciendo. https://doi.org/10.2478/jtes-2018-0019
Arikan, A., & Zorba, M. G. (2024). Raising pre-service English language teachers’ awareness of sustainable development goals through literary texts. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-06-2023-0256
Arslan, S., & Curle, S. (2021). Sustainable development goals in the English language high school curriculum in Turkey. European Journal of Education, 56(4), 681–695. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12473
Arslan, S., & Curle, S. (2024). Institutionalising English as a foreign language teachers for global sustainability: Perceptions of education for sustainable development in Turkey. International Journal of Educational Research, 125.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2024.102353
Bekteshi, E., & Xhaferi, B. (2020). Learning about Sustainable Development Goals through English Language Teaching. Research in Social Sciences and Technology, 5(3), 78–94. https://doi.org/10.46303/ressat.05.03.4
Cordova, M. (2024). Integrating sustainable development goals in English language and literature teaching. Frontiers in Education, 9.
https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2024.1330034
Gourari, W. El, & -Dali, R. E. (2024). Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics Integrating Sustainable Development Goals into EFL Textbooks in Morocco: A Content Analysis. https://doi.org/10.32996/jeltal
Kanwal, A. (2024). An Ecolinguistic Study of Language Teachers as Activists in Promoting Dialogue on SDGs. Journal of Language Teaching and Research, 15(5), 1593–1602. https://doi.org/10.17507/jltr.1505.20
Kwee, C. T. T. (2021). I want to teach sustainable development in my english classroom: A case study of incorporating sustainable development goals in english teaching. Sustainability (Switzerland), 13(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/su13084195
Lasekan, O. A., Méndez-Alarcón, C. M., Mathew, B. S., & Campos, E. S. (2023). Exploring the Potential of a Popular EFL Textbook to Foster Both Sustainability Awareness and Competencies among ESD Learners: A Content Analysis Approach. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612640
Maijala, M., Gericke, N., Kuusalu, S. R., Heikkola, L. M., Mutta, M., Mäntylä, K., & Rose, J. (2024). Conceptualising transformative language teaching for sustainability and why it is needed. Environmental Education Research, 30(3), 377–396. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504622.2023.2167941
Mambu, J. E. (2023). Embedding Sustainable Development Goals into critical English language teaching and learning. Critical Inquiry in Language Studies, 20(1), 46–76. https://doi.org/10.1080/15427587.2022.2099863
Mambu, J. E. (2023). Embracing Sustainable Development Goals Critically To Explore Life Purposes In English Language Teacher Education. Teflin Journal, 34(2), 264–282. https://doi.org/10.15639/teflinjournal.v34i2/264-282
Mar, W. K. K. (n.d.). English language teachers’ knowledge of SDGs and their attitudes towards incorporating SDGs in ELT in Myanmar. Journal of English Language and Linguistics, 4(1), 18–29. https://doi.org/10.14456/jel.2023.2
Mohalla, R. (2024). The Role Of English Language Teaching (ELT) In Promoting Sustainable Development Goals (Sdgs) Bridging Global Citizenship and Language Learning (Vol. 12, Issue 9). www.ijcrt.org
Nahdi, K., Basri, H., Amrullah, & Susanto, A. (2024). Integration of SDGs in Language Teaching: Assessing the Response of Indonesian Researchers – A Systematic Literature Review Using the SPAR Methods. Language Teaching Research Quarterly, 42, 55–68. https://doi.org/10.32038/ltrq.2024.42.04
Nations, U. (2030). 70/1. Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Preamble.
Rafiee Moghadam, N., Haddad Narafshan, M., & Anjomshoa, L. (2022). Education for sustainable development: Effects of sustainability education on English language learners’ empathy and reading comprehension. Journal of Environmental Education, 53(5), 280–289. https://doi.org/10.1080/00958964.2022.2107605
Ruiz, M. R., Bula, L. M., Meza, L. G., & Luna, A. G. (2024). Perspectives For The Implementation Of The Sdgs As An Innovative Strategy For Teaching English In Professional Practice Scenarios. Journal of Law and Sustainable Development, 12(2), e3402. https://doi.org/10.55908/sdgs.v12i2.3402
Sarkis-Onofre, R., Catalá-López, F., Aromataris, E., & Lockwood, C. (2021). How to properly use the PRISMA Statement. In Systematic Reviews (Vol. 10, Issue 1). BioMed Central Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01671-z
Sheridan, R., & Tanaka, K. M. (2024). Global Issues in Local Contexts: Japanese University EFL Learners’ Reactions to the Development of Relevant and Engaging SDGS Materials. TESL-EJ, 28(1). https://doi.org/10.55593/ej.28109a4
Sund, P., Gericke, N., & Bladh, G. (2020). Educational Content in Cross-curricular ESE Teaching and A Model to Discern Teacher’s Teaching Traditions. Journal of Education for Sustainable Development, 14(1), 78–97. https://doi.org/10.1177/0973408220930706
Sustainable Development Goals in EFL Students’ Learning: A Systematic Review. (2024). Pegem Journal of Education and Instruction, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.14.02.01
Vega Munar, C. (n.d.). Master’s Thesis Teaching Sustainable Development Goals In The Efl Classroom: A Project-Based Learning Approach In Secondary Education Centre for Postgraduate Studies.
Wals, A. E. J., Weakland, J., & Corcoran, P. B. (2017). Preparing for the Ecocene: Envisioning futures for environmental and sustainability education (1). In Japanese Journal of Environmental Education (Vol. 26, Issue 4).
Xiao, Y., & Pan, L. (2022). Disseminating Sustainable Development Education in English language through individuals learning capabilities and institutional infrastructural initiatives. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istrazivanja, 35(1), 6667–6687. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2022.2052336
Yu, B., Guo, W. Y., & Fu, H. (2024). Sustainability in English Language Teaching: Strategies for Empowering Students to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. In Sustainability (Switzerland) (Vol. 16, Issue 8). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083325
Zhang, H., Ge, S., & Mohd Saad, M. R. Bin. (2024). Formative assessment in K-12 English as a foreign language education: A systematic review. Heliyon, 10(10). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31367
Nurul Latifatul Azizah