LGBTQ+ in Literacy, Culture and Language Education
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| Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash |
Educators who choose to address LGBTQ+ issues in English classrooms may encounter various challenges and considerations:
Cultural Sensitivity: South Korean society traditionally values conformity and respect for authority. Discussing LGBTQ+ topics may challenge cultural norms and may be perceived as controversial or inappropriate by some students, parents, or administrators.
Legal Restrictions: South Korea lacks comprehensive anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals. While there are no explicit laws banning discussions on LGBTQ+ topics in schools, educators may face pressure from conservative groups or policies that discourage such discussions.
Curriculum Constraints: The national curriculum in South Korea may not include LGBTQ+ issues in English language education. Educators may need to find creative ways to incorporate these topics within existing curriculum frameworks, such as through literature, media studies, or discussions on human rights and diversity.
Teacher Preparedness: Teachers may not have received formal training on how to address LGBTQ+ topics in the classroom. They may need to educate themselves on LGBTQ+ issues, inclusive language, and strategies for creating a safe and supportive learning environment for all students.
Student Receptiveness: Student attitudes towards LGBTQ+ issues can vary widely. Some students may be open-minded and receptive to learning about diversity and inclusion, while others may hold more conservative views or may feel uncomfortable discussing these topics.
Parental Concerns: Some parents may express concerns or objections to their children learning about LGBTQ+ issues in school. Educators may need to communicate effectively with parents, address concerns, and emphasize the educational value of discussing diversity and human rights.
Despite these challenges, addressing LGBTQ+ issues in English classrooms in South Korea can also provide valuable opportunities for fostering critical thinking, empathy, and understanding among students. By approaching these topics with sensitivity, respect, and inclusivity, educators can help create more inclusive school environments and prepare students to engage with a diverse and interconnected world.
Resources
2019 KOTESOL International Conference
2018 Workshop at KOTESOL Daejeon-Chungcheong Chapter Symposium
"Students Discuss Queer Topics: How Educators Can Foster Communication"
| Global Social Issues |
| Abortion |
| Affirmative Action |
| Affordable Housing |
| Ageism / Age Discrimination |
| Alcoholism |
| Assault |
| Assistance to Needy Families |
| Binge Drinking |
| Birth Control |
| Bullying |
| Campus Crime |
| Child Support in Divorced Families |
| Child/Youth |
| City Street Conditions |
| Classism |
| Cloning |
| Corporal Punishment |
| Corrections & Sentencing |
| Corruption in Campaigning |
| Crime |
| Current Populations Around the World |
| Cybercrime |
| Cyberterrorism |
| Death Penalty |
| Debureaucratization |
| Decolonialization |
| Disability |
| Disarmament |
| Disaster Relief |
| Diversity in the Workplace |
| Domestic Violence |
| Dropping out of school |
| Drug Abuse / Drug Addiction |
| Drug Control Policy |
| e-Government |
| Eating Disorders |
| Economic Reform |
| Elder Abuse |
| Elderly |
| Energy Assistance |
| Environment |
| Environmental Issues |
| Equal Pay |
| Euthanasia / Mercy Killing / Assisted Suicide |
| Firefighter Benefits |
| Food and Shelter Programs |
| Food Insecurity |
| Food Security |
| Foster Children |
| Gay Rights |
| Gender Equality |
| Gender Roles and Children’s Toys |
| Genetically Modified Food |
| Hardship Indicators |
| Hate Crimes |
| Hazing |
| Health Care Reform |
| Health Services |
| Healthcare Reform |
| HIV / AIDS |
| Homelessness |
| Homicide |
| Honor Killings |
| Household Income Dispersion |
| Human Rights in the World |
| Human Trafficking |
| Humanitarian Assistance |
| Identity Theft |
| Immigration |
| Inability to hold a job |
| Indigenous Peoples |
| Ineffective parenting |
| International Law |
| Job Training Programs |
| Korean adoption |
| Lack of self-care |
| Law of the Sea |
| Legalization of Prostitution |
| Lowering Taxes |
| Managed Care System |
| Marriage, Markets and the State |
| Media propaganda |
| Mental Illness |
| Migrant Smuggling |
| Migrants Human Rights Protection |
| Multilingualism |
| Net Neutrality |
| Organ and Body Donation |
| Panhandling |
| Paternity Leave |
| Police Benefits |
| Political Reform |
| Pornography |
| Poverty in the World Today |
| Prevention of Genocide |
| Prison Reform |
| Race Relations |
| Rape |
| Recycling and Conservation |
| Refugees |
| Same-Sex Marriage |
| Self-advocacy |
| Self-medication |
| Sex Trade |
| Sharing Economy |
| Single Parenting |
| State Violence |
| Steroid Use in Sports |
| Street Safety |
| Suicide Prevention & Outreach |
| Sweat Shops |
| Teen Pregnancy |
| Transportation Laws |
| Trauma |
| Unemployment Insurance |
| Union Busting |
| United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |
| Unsafe sex |
| Viability of Social Insurance Programs |
| Violence in Video Games |
| Volunteerism |
| War crimes |
| Women and Poverty |
| Working Poor |
Key References
Read anything by Mollie Blackburn
Burns, R. & Johnson, J. Reconciling the Personal and the Professional: Coming Out from the Classroom Closet. Chapter 3 Educators Queering Academia: Critical Memoirs. Eds sj Miller & N.M. Rodriguez. Peter Lang. 2019?
Mason, K. (2014). Out of the Closet and onto the Playing Field: Two Decades of Lesbian Athletes in YA Literature. English Journal, 54-61.
Miller, S. J. (2015). A queer literacy framework promoting (a) gender and (a) sexuality self-determination and justice. English Journal, 37-44.
Neary, A., Gray, B., & O'Sullivan, M. (2016). A queer politics of emotion: Reimagining sexualities and schooling. Gender and Education, 28(2), 250-265.

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