“Stout beer for men, and lager beer for women”: an aNalysis of sexist language and gender stereotypes in ELT textbooks used in Chile

Abstract

The present study deals with how sexist language and gender stereotypes are embedded in English language teaching (ELT) textbooks used in the eleventh grade of secondary school in Chile. Textbooks play an important role in learning a culture and its language and they should motivate and encourage that both genders be equally represented.
The study underscores the idea that ELT coursebooks influence students’ views and behaviours. This study draws on a mixed methods research and examines two coursebooks: Teens in Motion 1 and Solutions Pre-Intermediate.
The results suggest that gender bias does exist in both textbooks series; male characters are much more frequently presented and portrayed as more important than females in both textbooks. Also, males are portrayed as more active and successful, while females as more quiet with socially approved roles, and taking disadvantaged positions.
Further research is required in the area of how language and gender representation are presented in others ELT textbooks used in Chile is therefore suggested to confirm the results of this study, further research that addresses the different approaches to teaching non-sexist language are also needed.