Teaching Secondary English as if the Planet Matters

Book excerpt: ‘This is an important book for all concerned with the teaching and learning of English, exploring new and hugely significant areas in a scholarly, thought-provoking and eminently practical way.’ – David Stevens, University of Durham, UK Drawing together ideas from a range of disciplines in the study of texts which explore nature, the built environment and issues of climate change and environmental stress, this book shows how English is well placed to develop the cultural, aesthetic and emotional response to environmental themes – both as part of everyday practice and within wider curriculum innovations. Features include: critical reflection on the teaching of secondary English connections with the academic study of ecocriticism and/or key environmental issues suggested teaching activities and/or reflections from classroom practice sources of further reading and information. The true worth of a school subject is revealed in how far it can account for and respond to the major issues of the time. This timely textbook breaks new ground in showing how English teachers can have a pivotal role in responding to the environmental crisis.