On 2 December 2025, EcoLingua partners contributed to the professional development seminar “Digitally Enhanced Pedagogy for Integrating Environmental Issues into Language Teaching” at the University of Calabria, Italy. The session brought together approximately 15 Italian student teachers of modern languages to explore connections between environmental education, digital pedagogy, and language teaching.
The seminar featured Elisabetta Marino from the University of Rome Tor Vergata and Lucía Muñoz Martín and Concetta Maria Sigona from the University of Burgos, with an introduction by Mirko Casagranda from the University of Calabria. It took place from 11:00 to 13:00 in Aula Spezzaferro, within the Department of Humanities.
The University of Burgos contributions introduced EcoLingua’s partners, aims, priorities, and objectives. Topics included an eco-social approach to language education, the use of authentic materials, and the role of questioning in developing critical thinking. The session also addressed ways to integrate environmental education into English as a Foreign Language teaching.
Digital pedagogy formed another focus of the seminar. Participants explored the environmental impact of artificial intelligence, sustainability considerations when choosing AI chatbots, and the distinction between game-based learning and gamification.
By sharing EcoLingua’s approach with future language teachers, the seminar connected the project’s work with teacher education and opened discussion about bringing environmental awareness into everyday language teaching.
