Teaching Taboos in the ELT Classroom

Vozel, Tjaša (author), Sokolov, Cvetka (mentor)

The main aim of the master's thesis is to investigate the domain of taboo topics within the context of the English language classroom. It explores the theoretical background, as well as provides empirical research on the topic. The theoretical part first provides various definitions of taboos and classifies them into three distinct categories, which are later used as a basis for the empirical research. Additionally, it shows how taboos can be avoided in everyday use through euphemisms, political correctness and the discussion of disrespect. Furthermore, the master's thesis discusses why taboo topics should be addressed in class and why the English classroom is the right place for such topics. The master's thesis also identifies seven approaches or guidelines for dealing with taboo topics in class. The empirical part begins with an overview of the main research objectives, methodology and the analysis of the survey results for three target groups – teachers, secondary school students and master's students of English. The combined results demonstrate the need to address taboo topics within the classroom, as well as prove that taboos can be used as a tool for enhancing student engagement.

• Language: English
• Keywords: taboo topics, taboos, English, teachers, students
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Organization: FF - Faculty of Arts
• Year: 2023
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-152001
• Publication date in RUL: 27.10.2023

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: Poučevanje tabu tem pri pouku angleščine

Abstract

Glavni cilj magistrske naloge je raziskati področje tabu tem v okviru pouka angleškega jezika. Naloga raziskuje teoretično ozadje in predstavlja empirično raziskavo na to temo. V teoretičnem delu so najprej podane različne opredelitve tabujev, ki so dalje razvrščeni v tri različne kategorije. Te kategorije so pozneje podlaga za empirično raziskavo. Poleg tega pokaže, kako se tabujem v vsakdanji rabi lahko izognemo z evfemizmi, politično korektnostjo in razpravljanjem o nespoštovanju. Poleg tega magistrsko delo obravnava razloge zakaj je treba tabu teme obravnavati pri pouku in zakaj je pouk angleščine pravo mesto za takšne teme. V magistrski nalogi je opredeljenih tudi sedem pristopov oziroma smernic za obravnavo tabu tem pri pouku. Empirični del se začne s pregledom glavnih ciljev raziskave, metodologije in analizo rezultatov raziskave pri treh ciljnih skupinah - učiteljih, srednješolcih in magistrskih študentov angleščine. Skupni rezultati prikazujejo potrebo po obravnavi tabu tem v razredu ter dokazujejo, da je tabuje mogoče uporabiti kot orodje za povečanje zavzetosti učencev.

• Keywords: tabu teme, tabuji, angleščina, učitelji, učenci