Raising awareness about the transgender community in the EFL classroom. A didactic proposal.

Abstract

[eng] The transgender community suffers a specific form of oppression which complicates the real inclusion of LGBTQI+ people in our society. The visibility which transgender people lack stems from ignorance on what gender is and how it works, as well as the diverse personal processes which transgender individuals may undergo. One of the main objectives of education is to provide students with academic knowledge and skills, but nurturing their value system is equally important. Thus, this dissertation aims at raising awareness of the transgender community while helping students strengthen their interpersonal relationships and their English language skills through cooperative learning and project-based learning in the EFL classroom. Since language shapes reality, EFL lessons provide an excellent environment for students to learn the accurate terms to better understand gender, as well as to express their values and ideas towards the topic in a respectful way. This thesis revises the literature regarding some communicative language learning methods such as cooperative learning and project-based learning, as well as the use of new technologies in class. The thesis also includes a didactic proposal aimed at a 1 st of Baccalaureate class. Four sessions were devoted to these activities and the students produced a final project that dealt with the transgender community. Ongoing assessment was present through the process, and the results indicate that this didactic proposal fostered the students’ interest and respect for the transgender community, even though more sessions would be needed to fully cover this topic