An analysis on gender roles represented in foreign language educational textbooks

The coursebooks Yeni İstanbul, Face2Face, and يديك بين العربية Al-Arabiyyah Bayna Yadayk were analyzed in this study. These textbooks, which are designed for B2-C1 proficiency levels, were examined in terms of how gender is represented in the texts, visuals, and learning outcomes. The analysis focused on specific categories, exploring the roles, professions, and settings in which gender is depicted. Through this analysis, the study seeks to uncover how these textbooks may contribute to the reinforcement of traditional gender roles. The data analysis in this study was conducted using the "Content Analysis" method. The research examined the frequency of female and male characters in the textbooks, the spaces they inhabit, the professions they are associated with, and the names they represent. The findings of the study indicate that the analyzed textbooks predominantly reinforce gender perceptions through traditional stereotypes. Women are largely confined to conventional roles, whereas men are more prominently represented in public and professional fields. In visuals, men appear more frequently and are typically depicted in leadership or decision-making positions. In contrast, female characters are primarily portrayed in domestic settings, engaging in caregiving and service-oriented roles. Consequently, the analysis of Yeni İstanbul, Face2Face, and يديك بين العربية AlArabiyyah Bayna Yadayk suggests that gender roles are constructed in a way that privileges men while disadvantaging women. These findings suggest that such textbooks may contribute to the perpetuation of gender inequalities.