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EAL: English Language for Nature Conservation and Sustainability

Advance your study of English as a second language as you explore sustainability and discover the wonders of New Zealand.

2,363 enrolled on this course

A kiwi bird road sign on a highway looking toward a mountain in New Zealand

Improve your language skills with the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology

The themes of conservation and sustainability are present in most major academic English exams such as IELTS, TOEFL, and NZCEL. This four-week course will prepare you for reading, listening, writing, and speaking about these themes.

You’ll learn the language and vocabulary that go hand-in-hand with the important topics of conservation biology and sustainability. Specifically, you’ll explore the unique flora and fauna of New Zealand to broaden your understanding and help you progress further with your study of the English language.

Led by Dr. Ray Genet at the Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, a specialist in delivering lessons on preserving biodiversity, you’ll learn how to advance your language skills and communicate your interest in sustainability.

Explore different techniques to help you learn English language

The course will help take your English language skills to the next level as you delve into responding to a variety of language formats.

You’ll increase your reading, vocabulary, and pronunciation skills as you examine academic and spoken texts.

Discover the unique New Zealand wildlife

Being isolated from the rest of the world has allowed New Zealand’s wildlife to evolve in distinctive ways. However, with the increase in the number of humans, there has also been an increase in the number and types of pests.

In this course, you’ll learn how these introduced pests are being managed to restore parts of New Zealand. You’ll also look at the work by the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, which aims to re-create a historic piece of New Zealand where native birds, reptiles, and invertebrates can flourish.

By the end of this course, you’ll have the knowledge and vocabulary skills to discuss different sustainability topics with ease.

What topics will you cover?

  • Week 1 - Focus on Writing and Reading for understanding - Our connection to nature
  • Week 2 - Focus on Reading - Forest Conservation in New Zealand
  • Week 3 - Focus on Listening for understanding - Ecological restoration & The Brook Sanctuary
  • Week 4 - Focus on Speaking - How to give an effective and persuasive presentation for biodiversity conservation

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify vocabulary and concepts in of nature conservation in written and spoken texts.
  • Analyse and discuss reasons to conserve nature.
  • Create and evaluate a PowerPoint presentation on a conservation project.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for students of academic English with a CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference level of mid-B2.

It will be particularly useful if you would like to study conservation and sustainable development in an Anglophone academic setting.

What software or tools do you need?

To take part in this course you will need to use Padlet. This is to enable you to share drawings with the class. Padlet is free. sign up at: https://padlet.com/

Who will you learn with?

Ray Genet (PhD in Edn, M.Sc in Env. Sci., GradDipTchLn, RSA CELTA) is a tutor, lecturer and curriculum developer. He has taught EAL in France & NZ and developed curriculum for UNESCO and the NMIT.

Who developed the course?

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT)

NMIT is a comprehensive government owned institute delivering higher-level education in the Nelson Marlborough region of New Zealand. NMIT is a Category 1 institution, the highest national level of ranking for an institution.

  • Established

    1905
  • Location

    Nelson, New Zealand

What's included?

This is a premium course. These courses are designed for professionals from specific industries looking to learn with a smaller group of like-minded individuals.

  • Unlimited access to this course
  • Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes
  • Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you're eligible
  • Download and print your Certificate of Achievement anytime

Still want to know more? Check out our FAQs

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
  • Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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