Abstract: It is proposed that in an effort to promote awareness, positive self-concept, and healthy attitudes, and to reduce stereotyping, sexual identity issues should be incorporated into English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teaching. Open discussion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transsexual issues may help to reduce the isolation of lesbians and gays, demystify their situation, and change the attitudes of others toward them, and not coincidentally, reduce the suicide rate among this significant minority. A thematic approach is recommended alongside the communicative approach to language teaching. Activities that could be incorporated into this framework are described, including conversational activities (word association, discussion of students' points of view, role- playing, discussion of radio and television programs on the topic, and conversations with gays and lesbians), relevant readings (list included) as a basis for class activities (conversation, vocabulary development, writing, grammar review) and reading practice, films on homosexuality and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, and writing exercises. Contains 16 references. (MSE)

Title: Resources and Ideas for Working with Gay/Lesbian Themes in the ESL Classroom.
Author: Schweers, C. William
Note: 26p.; Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (31st, Orlando, FL, March 11-15, 1997).
Publication Year: 1997
Document Type: Teaching Guide (052); Conference Paper (150)
Target Audience: Practitioners and Teachers
ERIC Identifier: ED411690
Clearinghouse Identifier: FL024787
This document is available from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service.

Descriptors: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; Class Activities; Classroom Techniques; * Controversial Issues [Course Content]; Course Content; * English [Second Language]; Films; Health Promotion; * Homophobia; * Homosexuality; Information Sources; Instructional Materials; Second Language Instruction; * Self Concept; Sexuality; Stereotypes; Suicide