The problem with gendering in ELT – Carol Lethaby | ELTOC Chapter 3 2022

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The problem with gendering in ELT: The brains behind the operation

ELT teachers have long used activities that consider supposed-innate differences between the sexes as a way to generate interest and encourage debate and discussion. The case is often made that this is harmless and that it really ‘gets the students talking’. Grammar and vocabulary explanations often present male forms first too, perpetuating the idea that the male form is somehow the default form.

It will be asserted that the use of this type of material is far from harmless and can actually act to reinforce harmful prejudices about girls and boys, women and men, which in turn affect the student’s future potential development. This is related to the notion of neuroplasticity, that is, the discovery that the brain is malleable and that it is affected by everything it experiences and learns. The notion of the hardwired ‘female’ or ‘male’ brain will be challenged and the influence of gender stereotyping on the young developing brain will be pinpointed.

During this session, we will better understand how this type of material is far from harmless and can actually act to reinforce harmful prejudices about girls and boys, woman and men, which in turn affect the student’s future potential development. We’ll explore the notion of neuroplasticity, this is, the discovery that the brain is malleable and is affected by everything it experiences and learns. The notion of the hardwired ‘female’ or ‘male’ brain will be challenged and the influence of gender stereotyping on the young developing brain will be pinpointed.

Speaker Bio:
Carol Lethaby is from the UK and is now based in San Francisco, California. She has been involved in language teaching and teacher education in Mexico for over 30 years. She is particularly interested in evidence-based teaching and her latest publication is ‘An Introduction to Evidence-Based Teaching in the English Language Classroom’ (Pavilion ELT). Carol is part-time assistant professor on the New School New York online MA in TESOL and honoured instructor on the UC Berkeley Extension teaching certificate in TESL/TEFL. Carol has also authored several textbook series for learners and she is a frequent presenter at international conferences.

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