Green and Tropical Laboratory for Sustainability
Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): August

Developing English for Specific Purposes (ESP) for sustainable laboratory communication: A conceptual framework for tropical higher education

Reza Anggriyashati Adara (Universitas Muhammadiyah Indonesia, Indonesia)
Alma B. Manera (Cagayan State University, Philippines)
Ting Su Hie (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Malaysia)
Dila Novita (Universitas Muhammadiyah Indonesia, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
27 Aug 2026

Abstract

Background: Effective communication of scientific research requires both discipline-specific knowledge and specialized English language skills to articulate, discuss, and disseminate research findings—particularly within environmentally responsible laboratory settings. In tropical higher education, however, the integration of English for Specific Purposes (ESP) with sustainability-oriented laboratory communication remains underdeveloped and fragmented. Objectives: Grounded in the academic and research context of Universitas Muhammadiyah Indonesia, this study aims to develop a novel conceptual framework—the Integrative ESP-Sustainability Laboratory Communication Model (IES-LCM)—that embeds sustainability competence into discipline-specific language instruction for science students in tropical higher education. Methods: This study employs a non-empirical, conceptual research design using a theory development approach. Data sources comprised peer-reviewed literature and policy frameworks from Web of Science, Scopus, ERIC, and Google Scholar, bounded by relevance to ESP, scientific communication, and United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education, specifically Target 4.7). The retrieval corpus was analyzed through a structured four-stage qualitative process: database screening, thematic categorization, conceptual construal, and relational synthesis to establish operational linkages among the constructs. Results: The resulting model integrates three operational pillars: (1) ESP language competence as a social construct for sustainability, (2) interdisciplinary teacher capacity building, and (3) context-specific instructional modules tailored for tropical laboratory environments. The framework operationalizes scientific writing, technical environmental terminology, and peer discourse to communicate green laboratory practices, directly bridging localized socio-ecological challenges in the Global South with international scientific discourse. Conclusion: The proposed model offers theoretical and practical guidance for educators and curriculum developers seeking to embed sustainability into ESP instruction. By positioning language competence as a central pedagogical bridge for scientific communication and sustainability ethics, this framework provides a structured pathway to advance sustainable education in tropical higher education institutions.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

gtlabs

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Chemical Engineering, Chemistry & Bioengineering Decision Sciences, Operations Research & Management Environmental Science Social Sciences

Description

Green And Tropical Laboratory For Sustainability encompasses a broad range of research areas related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including but not limited to: Laboratory-Based Studies on Tropical Ecosystems: Research on biodiversity, climate change, ecosystem restoration, and ...