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Anderson Chad, Sunyoung Heo, Seunghee Sone |
| A Study of Gender Equity in the University English Language Classroom in Korea |
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채드 앤더슨, 허선영, 손승희 |
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| Abstract |
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The question of fair and equal treatment of men and women in the university classroom has become more important as the proportion of female students has been increasing and the role of women in society has been increasing. Korea rank slowest on the OECD G lass Ceiling Index and education can be seen as the most influential area for removing gender differences between men and women.
This study conducted a two-stage investigation to determine gender differences in a Korean university English-language classroom setting and to compare how close the perception is to the objective reality of gender equity. This was done through surveys of perceived gender equity in classes that were then observed to evaluate gender equity through objective measures.
A total of 175 students were surveyed and observed in eight English-language classes at two different universities in the near Seoul area. The classes were taught by two professors (one Korean female and one foreign male), with four being taught by each. Both teachers had more than ten years’ experience teaching English in Korea. The overall sample was 49% female. The survey was regarding the student perception of the fairness and equality by the teacher in class in general as well as regarding relative bias towards men or women in particular. Following the surveys, the classes were observed by an observer in class. The observer used objective measures to record the quantity of student teacher interactions and subjective perception to record differences in quality.
The results showed that fairness and equality have a close relationship between the student perception and what actually happened in class. It is hoped that this research contributes to greater realization of gender equity in Korean university classrooms, headed for removing gender biases in Korean society. |
| Key Words:
gender equity, gender bias, gender difference, fairness/equality, perception/reality, English language classroom in Korean university |
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