Depiction of gender in ELT textbooks: gender stereotyping in language and its effect on secondary level students

Abstract

The paper discussed gender stereotyping in ELT textbooks which can be constituted as one of the most significant issues for gender and language research. Through the study conducted for this paper, the portrayal of gender in secondary English texts, how it effects student’s perception of gender and the critical literacy practices required to provide an unbiased educational environment have been researched. The present study investigated gender representation through reading texts in English Language textbook series with the help of survey questionnaires prepared for both students and teachers. The survey showed that both students and teachers are aware of the gender discrepancies yet there have been no feasible changes in the curriculum to modify the gender stereotyping in ELT textbooks. Therefore, this study suggested that incorporating a critical literacy and feminist pedagogy into the classes could be a way to aid students in perceiving their gender perceptions. In other words, this study could be used in the future to highlight and balance the gender disparity to bring in the much needed change in the current educational curriculums in ELT by creating awareness among the educators