Abstract:

In content and language integrated English language teaching, raising learners’ awareness of sociological and environmental issues is significant since such pedagogical actions provide learners with meaningful and purposeful content and cause them to both critically reflect on and communicate about their lives and actions and produce individual and/or collective outputs. Consumption is one of those issues learners should be exposed to as it assumes multivariate meanings in today’s world which exceed mere satisfaction of needs and make us feel responsible for our actions. This article analyzes the phenomenon of consumption with regard to i) signs and symbols, ii) desires, iii) sense of self, and iv) the environment, and presents suggestions to integrate this multifarious notion into English language teaching. It is recommended that in English language classes, learners be made aware of the signs and symbols intertwined with the marketing of goods and services. It is also suggested that psychological and ecological impacts of excessive consumption be critically questioned and discussed in English language lessons.

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