ERIC Number: EJ1470846
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 27
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2630-0672
EISSN: EISSN-2672-9431
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Identity Formation of a Filipino Transwoman EFL Teacher in Thailand
Genesis Oculares; Wannapa Trakulkasemsuk
LEARN Journal: Language Education and Acquisition Research Network, v18 n1 p486-512 2025
As a haven for the LGBTQIA+ community, Thailand has become a niche for EFL teachers from around the world, particularly Filipino transwomen. Despite gender discrimination in academia and being non-native English educators, they hold pivotal roles in connecting Thai students to the inner circle. This case study delves into the perceived and negotiated teacher and gender identities of a Filipino transwoman EFL teacher in Thailand, examining how these identities impact her teaching practices. Through a semi-structured interview, the participant's experiences in a primary school were meticulously explored. Her narratives were captured through recordings and analyzed using Stake's (1995) four-phase analysis framework: description, categorical aggregation, establishing patterns, and naturalistic generalizations. Results revealed predominantly positive perceived identities, such as possessing a neutral accent, versatility, and relatability, significantly influencing her EFL teaching practices. However, challenges included the absence of ELT credentials due to Thailand's lenient recruitment practices. The participant negotiated her gender identity as a woman in interactions with students and colleagues, highlighting the complex intersection of gender and professional roles. Future research should include comparative studies with Thai transwomen teachers and explore the impact of English proficiency and nationality on identity formation, offering valuable insights into fostering inclusivity in Thailand's EFL teaching community.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, LGBTQ People, Language Teachers, English (Second Language), Gender Identity, Experience, Elementary Education, Teacher Characteristics, Barriers, Interpersonal Relationship
Language Institute of Thammasat University. The Prachan Campus, 2 Prachan Road, Bangkok 10200 Thailand. e-mail: learnjournal@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/learn
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Thailand; Philippines
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A