WORKSHOP: Gender-inclusive language in language teaching: opportunities for the classroom

What is gender-inclusive and gender-neutral language? Why is it important? How does it work in different languages, particularly in languages with grammatical gender? How might we include gender-inclusive and gender-neutral language in language teaching?

In this workshop, we will discuss the above questions and try to find realistic and workable answers together. The workshop will include lots of concrete examples (both linguistic examples, such as approaches to gender-inclusive languages and non-binary pronouns in a variety of languages, as well as examples of teaching and learning activities). Colleagues are encouraged to share their own experiences and ideas if they wish.

The workshop will be led by Sascha Stollhans, Lecturer in Digital Language Pedagogies in the School of Languages, Cultures and Societies at the University of Leeds. One of Sascha’s academic interests is the role of diversity and linguistic variation (dialects, colloquial language, forms of online communication etc.) in language teaching and learning, including questions around gender and LGBTQ+ inclusivity. Sascha is a member of the Working Group on Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) matters for the Association for German Studies in Great Britain and Ireland, and he has led a number of workshops on gender-inclusive and gender-neutral language for teachers in higher and secondary education as well as translators and interpreters.

The workshop will be delivered in-person with the option of watching it live-streamed. If you are external to the University of Leeds and would like to attend, please register here.