Sexist Language Persists in the EFL Classroom

"[S]tudies suggest that many EFL [English as a foreign language] students are studying English to enhance their opportunities for success in the English-speaking academic and business worlds. Gender-biased language, so common in many EFL classrooms, can be offensive; it also reduces the students' chances of succeeding in English-speaking settings, diminishes the clarity of their writing, and, in some jurisdictions, may be illegal. To meet students' needs, teachers must equip them with skills to interact successfully, diplomatically, and harmoniously. A major step in reaching this goal is teaching them gender-neutral language." (English Teaching Forum) The importance of teaching gender-neutral language to students learning English is stressed.