An Examination of LGBTQ+ Representation in a Canadian ELT Newspaper

Abstract

Up to 30% of the world’s population is part of the LGBTQ+ community. Yet, representation in English language programs and classroom materials around the world appears to be minimal to non-existent. This study conducted a content analysis of LGBTQ+ representation in one locally produced ELT newspaper in British Columbia, Canada to investigate if a more localized publication with less pressure to appeal to a mass readership would yield greater representation. The study found that five instances of representation occurred in a four-year span of production of thirty-nine newspapers. This finding is significant in that very few examples of this type exist in the literature.

Keywords

• lgbtq representation
• elt newspaper
• content analysis
• localized materials
• tesol