Exploring the Perceptions of University Teachers Regarding Female Education

Abstract

This study investigates the perceptions of female education in the verbal discourse of university teachers in Pakistan. The perceptions of female education in verbal discourses of teachers remain less explored. The female literacy rate in Pakistan is only 49.6%. So, this research addresses the pressing need to understand how educators, as influential societal figures, conceptualize and communicate about female education. Thereby, qualitative method is used, including in-depth interviews, the study explores the evaluative language employed by university instructors and reveals underlying attitudes, judgments, and ideologies embedded in their discourse. The findings highlight prevalent use of appraisal tools such as affect, judgment, appreciation, graduation, and engagement, which reflect both explicit and implicit beliefs about women's roles and educational access.

Keywords: Female Education, University Teachers, Appraisal Theory