The Representation of Cultures in English Language Textbooks: A Comparison of Three Textbooks Used in Turkey

Year 2020, Volume: 1 Issue: 2, 54 - 67, 01.12.2020

Mustafa Uğurlu Songül Taş

Abstract

Numerous studies have been conducted in the field of foreign or second language teaching related to the inclusion of cultural elements in foreign language textbooks. In this study, the reading passages from three different textbooks were examined in terms of four components of culture with the help of a checklist prepared by the researchers. One of the textbooks under examination is local, one is localized and one is global. In addition, the opinions of 14 English teachers were taken using two open-ended questions and a simple frequency analysis was carried out. The results indicated that Turkish EFL teachers believe the necessity of the inclusion of world cultures in ELT textbooks and most of them prefer using global ones. It was seen that local and localized textbooks do not possess the qualities which the names suggest. Finally, suggestions were made for textbook developers.

Keywords

ELT textbook, home culture, international culture, target culture

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