Gender Stereotypes (A1-A2)

Welcome! In this lesson, you will learn what is a gender stereotype and how to recognize it. Let’s get started!

Lesson content:

  1. Gender Stereotypes
  2. Representation of Gender in the Media

1. Gender Stereotypes

1.1 Opening Activity

Let’s start with a little warm-up activity!

1.2 Speaking

Now, we want to know your opinion. Answer the questions below orally. You can take some time to think about your answers, and take notes. Try to answer each question with 2-4 sentences. And don’t forget to record the answers!

1.3 Vocabulary

Time for some vocabulary. Read a following text and try to guess the meaning of the missing words:

1.4 Listening

Watch the video and complete the tasks below:

Video: Task 1

Have a look at the words you marked. Do you think they provide accurate description of men? Do you know any man who has all these qualities?

Video: Task 2

Now watch the video again and indicate whether these statements are true or false:


2. Gender Representation in the Media

2.1 Beyond language

Media, and especially advertisements, are often using stereotypes to influence people. Look at the ads below, and try to guess what is wrong with them:

2.2 Reading

Read the article and answer the questions below:


The Sexist Piggy – a competition for the most sexist ads in the Czech Republic

The Sexist Piggy is a competition for the most sexist advertisement in the Czech Republic. It is organized by NESEHNUTI, a Czech social and environmental NGO, and a member of the Czech Women’s Lobby. The aim of the competition is to warn about the use of gender stereotypes in advertising. The competition includes billboards, as well as print, online, and TV ads.

The most common example of a sexist advertisement is a stereotypical presentation of women – either as sex objects, or as housewives (washing clothes, dishes, cooking) while men are stereotypically presented as mechanics, specialists, etc.

The Sexist Piggy inspires the customers to fight sexist advertising, for example by boycotting the companies, contacting them and expressing their disagreement, or filling a complaint to the Czech Advertising Committee.

In the competition, the public can nominate the sexist advertisements, then an expert jury decides on the “winner”.

Adapted from WomenLobby.org


Writing