Sociopolitical Issues in Language Instruction College & University Education Research-Oriented Short Presentation
Gender and Ethnicity in MEXT Approved Textbooks
In Japan, many Ministry of Education (MEXT) approved foreign language textbooks are written by textbook committees predominated by middle-aged Japanese males. Thus, it is reasonable to examine how textbooks may inadvertently contribute to cultural prejudices and personal biases that learners absorb as a byproduct of study. This analysis of MEXT approved textbooks for elementary school learners uncovered disturbing (yet unsurprising) instances of bias and disadvantaged positioning. Recommendations for addressing these issues are included.
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Donna TATSUKI is Professor of Applied Linguistics and Director of the Graduate School for English Language Education and Research at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies, Japan. Her doctoral seminars investigate the interactions between governmental language education policies and classroom practices. Selected areas of her research include the teaching of pragmatics, best practices in language teaching materials, the representations of gender/ethnicity in government-approved language textbooks, and descriptions of ELF-driven multi-party talk-in-interaction in MUN simulations. She has taught in Canada and Japan.