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A Comparative Study of Gender Representation in EFL Coursebooks in the Middle East

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Title: A Comparative Study of Gender Representation in EFL Coursebooks in the Middle East
Language: English
Authors: Mahdi Dahmardeh, Aveen Mohammed Hasan, Poune Muhammadi, Fathiya Al-Rashdi
Source: Journal for Multicultural Education. 2025 19(1):108-120.
Availability: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Textbooks, Textbook Content, Females, Gender Bias, Gender Differences, Language Usage, Sex Stereotypes, Males, Sex Role, Inclusion, English (Second Language), Second Language Instruction
Geographic Terms: Middle East, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates
DOI: 10.1108/JME-10-2024-0138
ISSN: 2053-535X
Abstract: Purpose: This study aims to explore how gender is represented in 64 English Language Teaching (ELT) coursebooks used in schools across seven Middle Eastern countries. It examines whether these materials promote gender equality, as outlined in the official curriculum. Design/methodology/approach: The coursebooks were analysed through content analysis, focusing on their texts, visuals and themes. This approach helped uncover how males and females are portrayed and whether gendered language or stereotypes are present. Findings; The results reveal a clear gender imbalance. Males are often shown in dominant and diverse roles, while females are frequently confined to stereotypical ones. Gender-biased language and imagery appear throughout the materials, which may affect how students see themselves and interact with others. Such biases could impact not just academic performance but also social development. The findings suggest that schools in the sampled countries, including Egypt, Iran, Iraq (Kurdistan), Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates, are not doing enough to promote gender equality through these coursebooks. Originality/value; This research sheds light on an important issue: how educational materials shape students' understanding of gender roles. By analysing gender representation in 64 ELT coursebooks used in seven Middle Eastern countries, the study reveals biases that call for immediate changes to create more inclusive resources. While gender representation in ELT coursebooks has been studied globally, this is the first time scholars from different Middle Eastern countries have compared gender portrayal in coursebooks where English is a foreign language. This is an important step towards fostering equality in classrooms across the region.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1459441
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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PubType: Academic Journal
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Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
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  Data: A Comparative Study of Gender Representation in EFL Coursebooks in the Middle East
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  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Mahdi+Dahmardeh%22">Mahdi Dahmardeh</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Aveen+Mohammed+Hasan%22">Aveen Mohammed Hasan</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Poune+Muhammadi%22">Poune Muhammadi</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fathiya+Al-Rashdi%22">Fathiya Al-Rashdi</searchLink>
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  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+for+Multicultural+Education%22"><i>Journal for Multicultural Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 19(1):108-120.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Emerald Publishing Limited. Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley, West Yorkshire, BD16 1WA, UK. Tel: +44-1274-777700; Fax: +44-1274-785201; e-mail: emerald@emeraldinsight.com; Web site: http://www.emerald.com/insight
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  Label: Peer Reviewed
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  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 13
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2025
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Textbooks%22">Textbooks</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Textbook+Content%22">Textbook Content</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Females%22">Females</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gender+Bias%22">Gender Bias</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Gender+Differences%22">Gender Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Language+Usage%22">Language Usage</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sex+Stereotypes%22">Sex Stereotypes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Males%22">Males</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sex+Role%22">Sex Role</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inclusion%22">Inclusion</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English+%28Second+Language%29%22">English (Second Language)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Instruction%22">Second Language Instruction</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Middle+East%22">Middle East</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Egypt%22">Egypt</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Iran%22">Iran</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Iraq%22">Iraq</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Oman%22">Oman</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Saudi+Arabia%22">Saudi Arabia</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Syria%22">Syria</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22United+Arab+Emirates%22">United Arab Emirates</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1108/JME-10-2024-0138
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2053-535X
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: This study aims to explore how gender is represented in 64 English Language Teaching (ELT) coursebooks used in schools across seven Middle Eastern countries. It examines whether these materials promote gender equality, as outlined in the official curriculum. Design/methodology/approach: The coursebooks were analysed through content analysis, focusing on their texts, visuals and themes. This approach helped uncover how males and females are portrayed and whether gendered language or stereotypes are present. Findings; The results reveal a clear gender imbalance. Males are often shown in dominant and diverse roles, while females are frequently confined to stereotypical ones. Gender-biased language and imagery appear throughout the materials, which may affect how students see themselves and interact with others. Such biases could impact not just academic performance but also social development. The findings suggest that schools in the sampled countries, including Egypt, Iran, Iraq (Kurdistan), Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates, are not doing enough to promote gender equality through these coursebooks. Originality/value; This research sheds light on an important issue: how educational materials shape students' understanding of gender roles. By analysing gender representation in 64 ELT coursebooks used in seven Middle Eastern countries, the study reveals biases that call for immediate changes to create more inclusive resources. While gender representation in ELT coursebooks has been studied globally, this is the first time scholars from different Middle Eastern countries have compared gender portrayal in coursebooks where English is a foreign language. This is an important step towards fostering equality in classrooms across the region.
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: EJ1459441
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        Value: 10.1108/JME-10-2024-0138
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      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
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        PageCount: 13
        StartPage: 108
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Textbooks
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Textbook Content
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      – SubjectFull: Females
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Gender Bias
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      – SubjectFull: Gender Differences
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      – SubjectFull: Language Usage
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      – SubjectFull: United Arab Emirates
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      – TitleFull: A Comparative Study of Gender Representation in EFL Coursebooks in the Middle East
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