Academic English Needs for Environmental Professionals

In occupational and professional domains, English proficiency has also been linked to job performance and sectoral effectiveness. Effective environmental pollution management increasingly relies on access to global scientific knowledge, policy reports, and technical guidelines, most of which are published in English. This study explores the impact of English language proficiency on environmental professionals’ ability to access, interpret, and apply such information in Iran. A mixed-methods approach was employed, involving a survey of 186 professionals working in pollution management, environmental education, and policy. The findings reveal that higher English proficiency significantly predicts the quality of environmental decision-making, the implementation of innovative solutions, and the use of English-language educational tools. However, no significant link was found between proficiency and the frequency of using English-language materials, indicating that access and contextual factors may moderate this relationship. Participants reported challenges such as difficulty with technical jargon and limited engagement in international events. The study highlights the strategic role of language in enhancing sustainability practices and recommends integrating English for Occupational Purposes into environmental training programs. These findings offer practical implications for educators, policymakers, and development agencies aiming to strengthen environmental capacity through targeted language support.