Examining gender in the context of cultural transmission in Turkish as a foreign language teaching textbooks

This study examined the most widely used B1-level textbooks (Yeni Hitit II, Gazi TÖMER B1, Istanbul Turkish Coursebook B1, and Yedi İklim Turkish B1), prepared for teaching Turkish to foreigners, in terms of gender. The primary objective of the study was to analyze how gender representations are presented in these textbooks and to reveal whether content related to gender roles is addressed with an egalitarian approach. The study sought answers to the following questions: Are women and men represented equally in the texts and visuals in the textbooks? What are the career choices of female and male characters? How are gender roles reflected in the characters' emotions, thoughts, and behaviors? Are there any sexist statements in the books? Using content analysis, a qualitative research method, the study systematically examined the written and visual materials in the textbooks. The findings indicate that traditional gender roles are largely perpetuated in these textbooks; female characters are associated with the private sphere and are represented in family and domestic roles, while male characters are concentrated in the public sphere, particularly in managerial, technical, or career-oriented professions. Visuals also support this trend; men are generally depicted outdoors and in business, while women are depicted in domestic scenes. In this context, it can be said that while there is a certain awareness of gender equality in textbooks teaching Turkish to foreigners, traditional gender stereotypes largely persist. However, language is not only a means of communication but also a carrier of social structures, values, and ideologies. In this context, it is crucial that textbooks used in teaching Turkish to foreigners provide content sensitive to gender equality. Language learning is not only a linguistic but also a cultural learning process, and gender representations have the potential to shape learners' mental schemas. Therefore, for foreign students learning Turkish culture, it is crucial that textbooks reflect the roles of women and men in Turkish society in a realistic, balanced, and gender-sensitive manner. This study recommends teaching language and culture simultaneously. It also emphasizes the need to carefully evaluate not only the representations of women and men in textbooks, but also the egalitarian nature of the language used.