What if language class could help students talk about the issues shaping our world today? In this episode, I’m joined by Carmen Reyes, a Spanish teacher in Virginia, to explore how the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals can bring language, culture, and global citizenship together in meaningful ways. We talk about what the SDGs are, why they matter, and how they can help students move beyond vocabulary lists to real communication about real issues. Carmen also shares practical, age-appropriate ways to bring these global themes into your classroom without losing the focus on proficiency and communication.
Topics in this Episode:
- what the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are, who created them and why
- what makes the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals a useful framework for teaching language and culture
- how the SDGs help students move beyond vocabulary and grammar to see language learning as a way to understand global issues and perspectives
- how teachers can adapt the SDGs so they are meaningful and accessible for all levels
- activities or resources that work especially well for integrating the SDGs while keeping the focus on communication in the target language
- simple and practical ways to start using the using the SDGs
- Unlocking Fluency: Exploring SDG 16 Through Children’s Literature
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Connect with Profe. Carmen Reyes:
- Instagram – @profe_carmenreyes
A Few Ways We Can Work Together:
- Ready For Tomorrow Quick Win PD for Individual Teachers
- On-Site or Virtual Workshops for Language Departments
- Self-Paced Program for For Language Departments
Connect With Me & The World Language Classroom Community:
- Website: wlclassrom.com
- Instagram: @wlclassroom
- Facebook Group: World Language Classroom
- Facebook: /wlclassroom
- LinkedIn: Joshua Cabral
- Bluesky: /wlclassroom.bsky.socia
- X (Twitter): @wlclassroom
- Threads: @wlclassroom
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