Teaching English as a Sexist Language: Assessing and Addressing Gender Bias in ELT
Abstract
It has been a quarter of a century since the passing of Title IX (1972) which barred sex discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funding. This federal action, combined with an interest in determining to what extent education reproduces gender inequality, prompted a number of studies and intervention programs. Ten years after Title IX, a disturbing report revealed how subtle and consistent acts by college faculty left women at a distinct disadvantage (Hall, 1982). This was further supported by the Sadkers’ research, which found that the students least likely to receive attention were minority females (Sadker & Sadker, 1994). This suggests that female ESL students are potentially the most vulnerable to sexism in education. This paper provides a brief survey of research on sexism in education, reviews studies that focus on gender in ELT, and offers five recommendations to facilitate the recognition and reduction of sexism in ELT.