Evaluating Pictures in Iranian High-School English Textbooks in Terms of Functions and Gender Bias

Document Type : research article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Shahrekord, Shahrekord, Iran

2 M.S., Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Shahrekord, Shahrekord, Iran

3 PhD. Candidate, Maritime and Marine Science University of Chabahar, Shahrekord, Iran

Abstract

The pictures of the textbooks play an important role in the transfer of concepts
and values to students. However, no comprehensive studies have been done on
the functions of pictures and their effects on the students from the gender
perspective in the instructional language textbooks in Iran. Accordingly, the
current study is an attempt to evaluate the pictures in Iranian high-school
English textbooks concerning their learning functions as well as the presence
and absence of gender bias. To this end, the pictures in the textbooks were
analyzed regarding the instructional vs. non-instructional (decorative) functions.
The people in the pictures were also investigated from the perspective of gender
bias on the basis of the three criteria of the frequency of males and females, the
type of environment surrounding the two genders, and the kinds of activities.
The data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The results revealed
that, from the viewpoint of functions, the majority of the pictures were
instructional; from the perspective of the frequency of males and females’
political and social activities and the type of environment, gender bias existed in
favor of males; in terms of personal and educational activities, the
representation of females was more remarkable. The findings have some
implications for textbook writers, materials developers, English language
teachers and other experts in the field of education.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Foreign Language Research
Volume 3, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
Spring & Summer
April 2014
Pages 93-115

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