ESL etc.

This roundtable discussion was the second of two sessions presented this year by the TESOL Environmental Responsibility Forum. In this discussion, participants looked at ways an English language program could improve their overall environmental responsibility.

I started the session by briefly describing my experience in attempting to green two different English language programs. The project was undertaken while I was a graduate student. I’ve written (and spoken) about it at some length here. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

I also talked about the Green Team that I put together at my current job. I outlined the three prong approach that evolved, which I think is a good general approach to bringing environmental practices into an organization:

1. start where you are – Start by gathering people from different areas together and sharing best practices.
2. do the next right thing – Look for changes that have low cost, high reward. Take advantage of resources at your school / in your community.
3. dream big – Have a few long term, large scale dreams. Find peer institutions who have done them and make contacts. You never know what might happen.

I’ll update this post with links / materials that emerged from our discussion as appropriate. Please check back after the convention. Also, if you’re a TESOL member and you would like to join the Environmental Responsibility Forum, please email me your name and member ID and I’ll add you to our list.