English for Ecotourism and Its Sustainability with Augmented Reality Technology

Abstract

When it comes to traveling, more and more people are becoming interested in having profound experiences to the places they are visiting and the local inhabitants. However, there currently very few tour guides in Taiwan who are well equipped to promote preservation of the environment and sustainable development. In addition, Taiwanese students interested in the field have been found to rarely talk with foreigners about topics related to ecology or environmental protection even though they are popular issues around the world. This study centres on English for ecotourism that is supplemented by comprehensive project-based learning (CPBL) and augmented reality (AR) technology to explore how teaching such a course using AR technology impacts English for specific purposes (ESP) learning and sustainable development. Two classes of ninety-nine college students in total participated in the study. The research also involved a survey, comprised of three sets of questionnaires concerning student satisfaction with AR application, CPBL, and ESP learning. An independent t-test and an analysis of variance were completed to examine the variables of gender, class, and English proficiency level to understand the significance of student satisfaction. The results found that more tourists chose the AR versions of the brochures than the general versions. Satisfaction between both foreign language classes regarding CPBL and ESP learning was significant. Across the three different English proficiency levels, the mean level of student satisfaction for all three variables was highest in the high proficiency group. This study reveals that adopting an AR approach for CPBL and ESP learning could better achieve the goals of ESP teaching and sustainable development than the traditional English teaching model based on in-class lectures.