SEXUAL PREDATION IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING (ELT) INDUSTRY: FEMALE LEARNERS’ RESPONSES FROM SOME ENGLISH DEPARTMENTS IN FRANCOPHONE AFRICA

Abstract

This investigation explored sexual predation in the English Language Teaching Industry in West Africa over the past ten years. The Study focused on females learning the English language and looked to examine their responses to the issue. The participants were one hundred and fifty (150) female students from five English Departments in the Francophone area. We conducted the study following an ethnographic research tradition. The results showed that many female respondents suffered some form of sexual harassment from a lecturer during their studies. Moreover, there are various interlocked factors which work together to cause educator sexual misconduct. However, participants differ in their reactions and responses. Some of the respondents were not sure of what sexual predation stood for. The researcher suggests a series of training sessions for teachers and students to discourage and eradicate gender bias from the ELT Industry.