Current usage of epicene pronouns in ESL writing: The case of Filipino college English majors

As gender-fair language (GFL) gains prominence, the choice of epicene pronouns in English as a Second Language (ESL) writing remains underexplored, particularly in conservative educational settings. This study investigates the pronoun preferences of Filipino college English majors when referring to gender-unspecified individuals, addressing a gap in the literature on GFL in ESL contexts. A survey, which included both closed- and open-ended questions, was administered to 113 third-year English majors to examine their pronoun choices in writing. Findings reveal a preference for singular they over traditional forms such as he or she, although the latter persists due to grammatical familiarity. The results highlight an ongoing linguistic shift towards inclusivity, underscoring the role of education in shaping GFL practices. This study contributes to discussions on linguistic equity in ESL education, advocating for pedagogical strategies that normalise inclusive pronoun use in academic and professional discourse.