When in doubt, art it out! Employing feminist art to enhance transformative engagement in EFL classrooms

Abstract

This article outlines some of the "Literacy, Gender and Diversity (LITGENDI)" (UV-SFPIE_PIEE-2732068) project outcomes, coordinated by the University of València’s Faculty of Teacher Training (2022-24). Integrating a feminist point of view towards art into English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms, this project aimed to deepen learning through critical engagement with social issues and celebrate female artistic figures, enhancing students’ critical consciousness. Implemented in a Valencian artistic baccalaureate, this multimodal approach proved to significantly boost student motivation and engagement by adopting arts from a feminist viewpoint. Despite its limited timeframe and sample size, the project showcases the impactful role of arts in fostering inclusivity and addressing gender inequality in education. It advocates for an academic shift towards transformative learning and curriculum innovation, emphasizing the importance of content selection to prepare students for global challenges. LITGENDI exemplifies art's power in revitalizing EFL multimodal education and promoting transformative student engagement.

Keywords

• Critical ELT
• Feminism
• Motivation
• Social justice
• Transformative learning