Culturally Sensitive Topics in the English Classroom : Perspectives from Students and Teachers in Swedish Upper Secondary School

This study examines the handling of culturally sensitive topics in English classrooms within the Swedish upper secondary school. It explores which topics are perceived as culturally sensitive among the participating students and teachers and the associated opportunities and challenges of these topics. Data was collected through two mixed-method questionnaires, one for students and the other for teachers. The findings revealed that students identified racism, transgender matters, and feminism as the most sensitive topics. In contrast, teachers highlighted sexual orientation and transgender matters. This study also identified key classroom factors influencing student engagement with these topics, emphasizing the importance of creating a safe space, characterized by teachers’ neutrality and shared empathy.