Speaker
Description
This workshop explores the use of recycled packaging as authentic learning material, enhanced with the application of mind maps as an innovative, sustainability-integrated approach to boost lexical competence for EFL learners.
By utilizing authentic resources such as user guides, plastic packaging, and product labels as vocabulary-rich lessons, learners engage in reading product information, recognizing and categorizing materials, and practicing responsible consumption habits in a critical way. This activity not only develops students’ vocabulary acquisition but also fosters environmental awareness. It offers practical insights for teachers seeking to integrate sustainability into ELT.
In particular, participants will discover how mind mapping, as an evidence-based tool grounded in neuroscience, can be applied to systematize vocabulary and benefit the learning process. The combination of brain-friendly principles, including imagery, colors, spatial organization, and associative thinking in mind maps, effectively promotes creativity, memory retention, systems thinking, and deeper comprehension. This strategy is natural as mind maps mimic neural networks in the human brain, enhancing connection-making – a key trait of systems thinking. Students easily connect new vocabulary to categories such as verbs of use, safety terms, sustainability concepts, and material types.
In this session, participants will engage in practical activities, including collaboratively analyzing packaging samples and visualizing vocabulary based on themes using mind maps to create revision activities. Hands-on strategies of classroom adaptation across levels and age groups will also be discussed.
The interdisciplinary approach undeniably turns everyday waste into educational gold by empowering eco-consciousness, critical thinking, and lexical acquisition. It is especially relevant to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), and developing critical thinking, a core skill for global readiness.
Biography
Ms. Thai Ninh is an English and creative mind mapping teacher, as well as the founder of “Trạm Học Xanh” (The Green Learning Station) — a learning space in Hanoi featuring an English book library for children, a playgroup, and various art and educational workshops for children and parents. She is the lead author of the book “Self-Studying English Grammar with Mind Maps”, published by Vietnam National University Publishing House in 2021.
She also serves as a mentor in the VietSeeds Foundation, a non-profit scholarship project supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Ms. Ninh has experience teaching English to learners of various age groups: elementary students, high school students, university students, and working professionals.
She is passionate and dedicated to teaching, constantly exploring innovative learning methods and creative ways to inspire not only her own students but also learners, educators, and parents across the country.
“Learn, play, naturally” is both the slogan of Trạm Học Xanh and her personal philosophy in working with students.
