CURRENT SITUATION AND CHALLENGES IN EFL TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION WITH RESPECT TO GENDER AND SEXUAL-AFFECTIVE DIVERSITY

Authors

  • Lucía Muñoz-Martín University of Burgos, Spain
  • María Amor Barros-del Río University of Burgos, Spain
  • Concetta Maria Sigona University of Burgos, Spain

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejel.v9i4.5625

Keywords:

gender, LGTBQ , ILTE, equality education

Abstract

Gender identity and sexual diversity remain significant sources of discrimination in the 21st century, exacerbated by pervasive androcentrism, cisnormativity, and heteronormativity. In the context of the European Union (EU), education is critical for fostering social cohesion among an increasingly multicultural population due to migration and mobility. Initial Language Teacher Education (ILTE) plays a pivotal role in preparing future educators to instill values of diversity, inclusion, and interculturality. Despite the EU's efforts to unify educational frameworks through programs like Erasmus+ and initiatives such as the European Language Portfolio, discrepancies persist across member states regarding language teacher training curricula. These variations hinder the broader aim of creating an inclusive, cohesive educational system grounded in human rights and equality, particularly concerning gender and sexual diversity. This paper explores the challenges and proposes the need for a unified ILTE training that integrates the principles of inclusivity, social diversity, and respect for all identities.

 

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Author Biographies

  • Lucía Muñoz-Martín, University of Burgos, Spain

    Lucía Muñoz-Martín is PhD student and assistant professor of Didactics of Language at the University of Burgos, Spain. She holds two M.A.s, one in EFL teaching and another one in gender studies. She has published in international journals, presented her research at international conferences, and contributed to European projects and research groups.

  • María Amor Barros-del Río, University of Burgos, Spain

    María Amor Barros-del Río is Senior Lecturer in English Studies at the University of Burgos, Spain. Her fields of interest are English language teaching, Irish literature and gender studies. She has published in international journals, authored some books and contributed to collective volumes. She has presented her research in international conferences and participated in European and national R&D projects.

  • Concetta Maria Sigona, University of Burgos, Spain

    Concetta Maria Sigona is Associate Professor in English Studies at the University of Burgos, Spain and holds an M.A. in English and her PhD from the University of Catania. Her main research focuses on English (EFL) language teaching and learning. Other areas of interest are Italian–Canadian literature in English and transcultural studies. She has published in international journals and contributed to collective volumes. She has presented her research at international conferences. She is a member of ICCLAS and LILADI at the University of Burgos, where she is an Assistant Professor in English Studies.

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Published

2024-10-16

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 4 (2024)

Section

Articles

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