Turning Students in Agents: EFL University Students’ Perceptions on Incorporating the SDGs into the Curriculum and the Teaching Practices of Professors

Abstract

Enhancing the quality of education has been an important concern for many stakeholders and practitioners. Moving from a teacher-centered approach into a student-centered approach has changed the role of the students into active participants in the educational process. However, a new century requires a new role. That’s why, the current study investigates EFL university students’ perceptions on how the incorporation of the Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) into the curriculum and the teaching practices of professors can change their roles from students into agents. Embracing a mixed-methods approach, this study uses a questionnaire with open and close-ended questions to gather the necessary data. The results show that the majority of the students have positive perceptions towards how the integration of the SDGs into the curriculum and teaching practices of teachers can turn them from students into agents. Finally, this study highlights a number of recommendations that can enable appropriate incorporation of the SDGs.