GENDER AWARENESS AND BELIEFS OF PRE-SERVICE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS IN ACEH

Abstract

This study investigated prospective English language teachers on gender awareness covering knowledge, attitude, and daily behavior and their beliefs about gender and its related issues. The study also calculated the association of all related variables. To find data, a survey was carried out and 152 university students as prospective English language teachers (N=114 females and 38 males) participated in filling the questionnaire administered. After analyzing the data several findings were found. In general, the respondents were overwhelmed with biased viewpoints. Their gender perspective can be considered critical. This was proven by the fact that the level of their gender perspective was low ( = 2. 3026). This phenomenon was much related to their very low level of knowledge about gender and gender related issues ( = 1. 56). The statistical analysis on this uncovered their significant association. The result also revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in the level of gender perspective between males and females, in which males were more biased. Based on the findings, this study recommends that it be necessary to make attempts to address gender issues in ELT for the sake of better education for men and women.