(De)constructing Gender in the EFL class through Young Adult Fiction and a Web Series

Abstract

[eng] This thesis attempts to combine the learning of English vocabulary and grammatical structures with the deconstruction of gender and heteronormative stereotypes and prejudices so as to prompt the development of linguistic and socio-civic competences in first-of-Bachillerato students. Cultural clichés will be addressed in combination with gender contributing to develop the intercultural competence in the EFL class. Social media (ab)use shall be also relevant to foster adolescents’ responsible usage of social networks, at the same time contributing to improve students’ digital competence. Departing from the implementation of reading and listening activities, the YAF (Young Adult Fiction) novel Asking for It and the web series The What’s Underneath Project will serve as pretext to develop writing and speaking tasks. Although all the activities emerging from this proposal shall place learners at the centre of their learning process, teachers shall play a crucial role in the promotion of students’ critical thinking when dealing with these materials. Against this background, in order to guarantee a successful development of students’ learning-to-learn competence, special emphasis shall be given to formative assessment and self-assessment tools. By suggesting the use of real-life materials as complementary materials that compensates textbooks’ artificiality in the EFL classroom, this proposal seeks to justify the usefulness of YAF and web series to celebrate cultural/sexual diversity and gender equality. The implementation of this proposal would lead to develop some of the key competences –linguistic, socio-civic, intercultural, digital, and learning-to-learn– established in the Ley Orgánica para la Mejora de la Calidad Educativa (LOMCE). Hence, the focus of this proposal shall be placed on learners’ communicative competence in order to prepare students to be tolerant, respectful, and competent communicative speakers in the diverse and globalized world they inhabit nowadays.