A corpus-based study of gender representation in ele textbooks — language, illustrations and topic areas

Abstract

In the following article, gender-related aspects in ELE textbooks will be examined from a broader thematic point of view, as well as detailed linguistic perspective. As a starting point, the state of research on gender-related studies in foreign language teaching pedagogy and research in Germany will be outlined, followed by a discussion on the importance of gender awareness promoting textbooks. After a general introduction and a rationale for the relevance of the study, central findings of studies examining gender representation in ELE textbooks will be discussed. This is followed by an analysis, in which specifics of textbook analysis and sampling criteria are explained. Furthermore, an analysis model is developed, based on the latest findings of gender-related textbook research. After an excursus on language-specific possibilities of gender sensitivity in Spanish, the results of the analysis are presented and discussed. Finally, implications of the findings for teachers will be deduced and recommendations regarding what can be done to promote and deepen gender awareness of learners will be given.