1st Edition
Sexual Identities in English Language Education Classroom Conversations
What pedagogic challenges and opportunities arise as gay, lesbian, and queer themes and perspectives become an increasingly visible part of English language classes within a variety of language learning contexts and levels? What sorts of teaching practices are needed in order to productively explore the sociosexual aspects of language, identity, culture, and communication? How can English language teachers promote language learning through the development of teaching approaches that do not presume an exclusively heterosexual world?
Drawing on the experiences of over 100 language teachers and learners, and using a wide range of research and theory, especially queer education research, this innovative, cutting-edge book skillfully interweaves classroom voices and theoretical analysis to provide informed guidance and a practical framework of macrostrategies English language teachers (of any sexual identification) can use to engage with lesbian/gay themes in the classroom. In so doing, it illuminates broader questions about how to address social diversity, social inequity, and social inquiry in a classroom context.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Prologue
PART I
Introduction
Chapter 1: Queering Language Education
PART II
Teacher's Perspectives
Chapter 2: Teaching Multisexual Student Cohorts
Chapter 3: Engaging with Gay and Lesbian Themes
Chapter 4: Tackling Homophobia, Heterosexism, and Heteronormativity
Chapter 5: Negotiating Sexual Identities in the Classroom
PART IIIInside Three Classes
Chapter 6: ‘Not Animal in the Zoo’: Tony’s Class
Chapter 7: Invisible Outings: Gina’s Class
Chapter 8: Foreign Meanings: Roxanne’s Class
Part IV
Conclusion
Chapter 9: Framing sexual diversity as a pedagogic resource
Appendix A: Teachers Quoted
Appendix B: Transcribing Key
Appendix C: Students Quoted or Mentioned
References
Index
Biography
Cynthia D. Nelson
"This book will be indispensible for educators contemplating the facilitation of sexual literacy, whether that learning takes the form of language lessons, sexuality education programmes, or teachable moments across the curriculum…Most refreshing of all is the constructive and expert advice of Cynthia Nelson, who succeeds in identifying realistic and exciting guidelines for the task [of integrating topics of sexual diversity into lessons]."--Journal of Language, Identity & Education, 9:2, 159-162