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Foreign Language Learning and Sexuality-Related Inclusion: A Multimodal Analysis of Representational Practices in the German Textbook Series Navi Englisch

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Linguistic Perspectives on Sexuality in Education

Part of the book series: Palgrave Studies in Language, Gender and Sexuality ((PSLGS))

Abstract

This chapter contributes to recent research on sexuality-related representation in foreign language education. It discusses sexuality as a central dimension of linguistic inclusion and exclusion in this context and identifies sexuality-related representational linguistic barriers that may pose obstacles to learning success. Processes of sexuality-related exclusion and inclusion are illustrated through a multimodal critical discourse analysis of representational practices in a unit on “love and friendship” from the German EFL textbook series Navi Englisch. It is shown that, even though representation is fairly inclusive in certain passages on the linguistic level, it is in many instances the visual level of representation and/or exclusionary linguistic practices in the verbal co-text that stand in the way of reaching higher levels of inclusion. The concluding section discusses potential strategies for educators to increase sexuality-related inclusion and the role that language use in teaching materials can play in this process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway

    Heiko Motschenbacher

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  1. Heiko Motschenbacher
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Correspondence to Heiko Motschenbacher .

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  1. Faculty of English, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland

    Łukasz Pakuła

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Motschenbacher, H. (2021). Foreign Language Learning and Sexuality-Related Inclusion: A Multimodal Analysis of Representational Practices in the German Textbook Series Navi Englisch. In: Pakuła, Ł. (eds) Linguistic Perspectives on Sexuality in Education. Palgrave Studies in Language, Gender and Sexuality. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64030-9_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64030-9_3

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-64029-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-64030-9

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