Gender in Language Education and Civic Orientation for Adult Migrants in Sweden: A Study of Policy Documents and Teaching Materials

Abstract

Different social models for integration and citizenship are increasingly being discussed in Europe, both in research and political organisations. This can be seen as a consequence of the decline of “multicultural” models that were fundamental to integration policy. There is a demand for participation in education such as language courses and courses on civic orientation. In Sweden, a new regulation was added in 2010 and civic orientation courses were introduced for newly arrived migrants. Each municipality is required to offer these courses. A textbook entitled About Sweden has been composed for the courses. In the present chapter, we use a narrative and discursive approach to analyse this textbook in relation to how the migrant subjects are (re)constructed as gendered subject. However, this chapter also provides a contextual analytical framework; a short review of previous research on migrants and norms and values in language education including some salient policy documents with focus on gender issues. In terms of time perspective, we searched for continuities as well as changes in views on gender issues and views on the individual in a societal context. Stereotypical and homogenising conceptions seem to continue to thrive and not been the subject of deconstruction, either in research, politics, cultural life or in public debate.