Lesson 4

Gender-Neutral
Language
Learning
Competency Identify properties of a
well-written text
1
(language use)
(EN11/12RWS-IIIgh-4.3).
 Objectives

● recognize the importance of using gender-neutral

language; and
● apply the use of gender-neutral language in
appropriate contexts.
Essential Question

Why is it important to use gender-neutral language in

today’s world?
 Warm Up!

Job Guessing Game

1. Make a list of seven gender-biased ways to refer to jobs (e.g.,

stewardess).
2. Research also the gender-neutral terms of the job (e.g., flight
attendant).
3. Work with a partner and follow the instructions on the next slide.
4. Reflect and discuss with your partner why it is better to use gender-
neutral terms.
 Warm Up!

Job Guessing Game

○ Student A says a gender-biased term.

○ Student B guesses the gender-neutral term.
○ Student A says if the guess is correct. If it is, Student B gets one point.
○ Student B says a gender-biased term.
○ Student A guesses the gender-neutral term.
○ Student B says if the guess is correct. If it is, Student A gets one point.
○ Keep taking turns until you run out of gender-biased terms.
○ The one with more points wins the activity.
 Review

● What is gender?
● What biases are commonly related to gender?
● How can we make our words neutral in terms of
gender?
 Learn about It!

Gender-Neutral Language

○ A communicator should be careful not to favor a certain gender when

constructing sentences.
○ The term “gender-neutral language” is a generic term covering the use of
non-sexist language, inclusive language or gender-fair language.
○ Its purpose is to avoid words that may be interpreted as biased,
discriminatory, or demeaning by implying that one sex or social gender is
the norm.
○ Using gender-fair and inclusive language also helps reduce gender
stereotyping, promotes social change, and contributes to achieving gender
equality.
 Learn about It!

Notice the difference between the given statements.

1. The researcher must submit his proposal before the deadline.

2. The researcher must submit his or her proposal before the
deadline.
 Learn about It!

1. Please all rise in welcoming this year’s faculty and their wives.
2. Please all rise in welcoming this year’s faculty and their spouses.

1. This company needs a more passionate and dedicated

manpower.
2. This company needs a more passionate and dedicated
workforce.
 Learn about It!

The use of masculine or feminine pronouns may create

gender bias, which is evident in the following statement:

Each employee must submit his photo for filing.

This can be avoided by doing the following:

1. Drop the pronoun that signifies gender and restructure the

statement.

Each employee must submit a photo for filing.

 Learn about It!

2. Change to plural construction.

Employees must submit their photos for filing.

3. Replace the masculine or feminine pronoun with one or you.

You must submit your photo for filing.

 Drills

Complete the following sentences by supplying the appropriate

pronoun(s). Make sure to avoid using pronouns that cause
gender bias.

1. Each member of the audience has cast ____________ ballot.

2. Good lawyers are willing to discuss ____________ moves with the
client.
3. An experienced politician always chooses ____________ campaign
writer from those loyal to the political party ____________ belongs
in.
4. Nurses have to take extra precautions to protect ____________
from contagious patients.
 Drills

5. Teachers must take care of ____________ school file.

6. A business executive must deal with ____________ subordinates
fairly.
7. Each contestant has submitted ____________ profile to the
committee.
8. The school principal announced ____________ retirement during
the program.
9. If you are thinking of hiring a teenager to babysit, we
recommend that you check whether ____________ has prior
experience.
10. The storyteller began to recount ____________ personal
experiences.
 Drills

If the statement is gender-neutral, place a check mark ( ✔)

before it. Otherwise, revise the statement to eliminate
gender bias.

1. A teacher must communicate clearly with her students.

2. A defendant should not be required to sacrifice the
constitutional right to a fair trial.
3. A doctor must indicate his license number in prescriptions.
4. Mr. Smith’s little lady arrived in a fabulous red gown.
5. The server brought us the menu.
 Drills

6. The police officer politely requested for my driver’s license.

7. Each student must submit a personal essay upon applying to
the university.
8. During the ancient times, men used horses in one way or
another.
9. Are there any freshmen who would like to apply as a
contributor for the campus paper?
10.The stewardess served chicken afritada to the pompous
gentleman.
 Values Integration

How can we show respect toward those with

nonbinary gender aside from using gender-neutral
language?
 Synthesis

1. Imagine that you are the HR manager of a company.

2. You need to compose a formal letter addressed to all
employees mentioning that the company is gender-inclusive
and reminding employees that gender discrimination will not
be tolerated in the workplace.
3. Observe the appropriate level of formality and directness in
language usage. Use bias-free language as well.
 Synthesis

Criteria Beginning Developing Accomplished Score

(0–1 point) (2–3 points) (4–5 points)
Content The purpose of the The letter clearly states The letter clearly
letter is unclear. More its purpose. Some states its purpose. It
explanations need to explanations are stated contains
be used to support to support the main appropriate
the main idea. idea. explanations to
support the main
idea.
Organization The ideas are not The ideas are fairly The ideas are
logically stated. The logically stated. The logically stated. The
format is not that of a format is that of a format is that of a
business letter. business letter but with business letter.
some mistakes.
 Synthesis

Criteria Beginning Developing Accomplished Score

(0–1 point) (2–3 points) (4–5 points)
Language The letter still uses The letter uses mostly The letter uses bias-
biased language. It is bias-free language. It is free language. It is
mostly indirect and direct but a bit direct and formal.
informal. informal.
Grammar and There are seven or There are four to six There are zero to
Mechanics more errors in errors in grammar and three errors in
grammar and mechanics. grammar and
mechanics. mechanics.
Score:
 Assignment

1. List down ten nouns that are gendered.

2. Then, list their corresponding gender-neutral term.
3. Write your answers in your notebook.