Exploring Ecotourism in Australia

Curriculum Alignment

Subject: Languages
Year Level: 11
Australian Curriculum Standards:

• Intercultural understanding: Recognising, respecting and using language to explore ethical and social sustainability issues.
• Communication: Engaging in meaningful conversations and discussions using target language structures.
• Sustainability: Understanding the impact of tourism on the environment and local communities through language and cultural exploration.

Lesson Overview

This 180-minute lesson will immerse students in the concept of ecotourism, encouraging hands-on activities that develop their language skills while fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable tourism practices. Activities will be conducted in the target language (e.g., French, Japanese, Spanish, or another studied language).

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:
✅ Use key vocabulary and phrases related to ecotourism in the target language.
✅ Engage in a role-play to simulate real-life ecotourism scenarios.
✅ Research and present an ecotourism site in Australia using the target language.
✅ Reflect on the impact of ecotourism and its ethical implications.

---

Lesson Structure (180 minutes)

1. Warm-Up Activity – Sustainable Travel Brainstorm (20 mins)

Objective: Activate prior knowledge and introduce key vocabulary.

• Grouping: Pairs
• Task: Students are given images of different tourist destinations in Australia (e.g., Great Barrier Reef, Daintree Rainforest, Kangaroo Island).
• Discussion Questions (in target language):
  • What makes this place unique?
  • How can visitors protect the environment while travelling?
  • Have you visited a place like this before?

💡 Differentiation: Provide a vocabulary list for students needing additional language support.

---

2. Vocabulary & Phrases Workshop (30 mins)

Objective: Learn and practise key terms related to ecotourism.

• Activity: Interactive matching game – students match ecotourism-related words with definitions in the target language.
• Extension Task: Students create short sentences using new vocabulary in context.
• Examples of Key Terms (in the target language & English):
  • Sustainable tourism (e.g., tourisme durable)
  • Eco-resort (e.g., éco-lodge)
  • Conservation (e.g., conservation)

🔍 Challenge: Higher-achieving students explain phrases in the target language without using English.

---

3. Ecotourism Research Task (40 mins)

Objective: Investigate and present an Australian ecotourism site using the target language.

• Grouping: Small groups (3-4 students per group)
• Task: Each group is assigned an Australian ecotourism destination (e.g., Tasmania’s Cradle Mountain, Rottnest Island, Blue Mountains).
• Research Focus:
  • Location & biodiversity
  • Sustainable initiatives
  • How visitors can support eco-friendly travel

📌 Product: Groups prepare a 2-minute spoken presentation using the target language.

🌱 Hands-On Element: Create a small poster or brochure (bilingual) highlighting key ecotourism features of their chosen location.

---

4. Immersive Role-Play: Ethical Travel Agent (50 mins)

Objective: Practise conversational skills in an engaging, real-world context.

• Scenario: Students take on the role of travel agents consulting a "customer" who wants an eco-friendly holiday in Australia.
• Roles:
  • Travel Agent → Convince the customer to choose an eco-conscious trip
  • Customer → Ask questions, express preferences, make a booking

🎭 Twist: Some tourists have specific concerns (e.g., "I want luxury, but I also care about nature"). Travel agents must adapt their pitches accordingly.

---

5. Reflection & Debate: The Future of Ecotourism (30 mins)

Objective: Critically reflect on the challenges of sustainable tourism.

• Activity: Students write a short reflective journal entry (in the target language) – “Would you choose an eco-tourism holiday? Why or why not?”
• Debate: Teams discuss: "Is ecotourism really sustainable, or just a marketing trend?"
• Language Support: Useful debate expressions and sentence starters are provided in the target language.

🔗 Extension Task: Students research a controversial ecotourism initiative and present their views.

---

Assessment Strategies

🔹 Formative Assessment:
✔ Observation of spoken interactions during role-play and discussion tasks.
✔ Evaluating student participation in group research & presentations.

🔹 Summative Assessment:
📌 Ecotourism brochure/poster (graded on creativity, language accuracy, and cultural understanding).
📌 Travel agent role-play (assessed on fluency, engagement, and use of appropriate vocabulary).

---

Materials & Resources

📘 Printed materials: Vocabulary lists, phrase sheets, images of Australian ecotourism destinations.
🖥 Tech use (if available): Tablets/laptops for research, voice recording apps for self-assessment.
📝 Creative materials: Coloured paper, markers, and magazines for poster-making.

---

Reflection & Teacher Notes

• 🌟 Did students stay engaged? What worked well in terms of hands-on approaches?
• 💬 How was student participation in the target language?
• 🤔 What adjustments could be made for different proficiency levels?

---

✨ Why this lesson stands out:
✔ Real-world application – students apply language skills to authentic travel scenarios.
✔ Creativity & hands-on engagement – research, posters, and role-playing ensure active participation.
✔ Cultural & ethical discussion – integrates sustainability with language learning, encouraging critical thinking.

This lesson brings the Australian landscape into the language classroom, making learning both meaningful and memorable! 🌿✈️