Language to Sustainability: Positioning ELT as a Tool for Eco-social Innovation in Higher Education

Abstract

This research examines how English Language Teaching (ELT) in higher education can be
revitalised as a transformative tool for sustainable development through the integration of
technology, innovation and eco-social engagement. Instead of limiting ELT to the acquisition of
language, the paper probes the way it can nurture ecological awareness, ecological consciousness,
social responsibility and future-ready competencies among learners. The study employs an
observatory and qualitative approach. It draws on document analysis and reflections from
sustainability-oriented projects done in a skill university in Odisha. Case illustrations are projects
on food waste management, smart agriculture and renewable energy, where ELT served as a
medium for interdisciplinary learning and real-world problem-solving. The integration of
technological tools such as Artificial Intelligence , the Internet of Things and renewable energy
systems within ELT frameworks enhances student engagement and learning outcomes. When
infused within eco-social pedagogy, these innovations foster critical thinking, collaboration and
communication skills, while grounding education in ecological ethics and social justice. In spite of
its potential, the strategy has challenges like technological barriers and curriculum limitations.
However, through policy backing, teacher training and cross-cultural partnership, ELT can
become a positive force for sustainability education. The paper urges a paradigm shift in
education, with ELT positioned not just as a language-learning tool but also as a vehicle for
sustainable development.