One Size Does Not Fit All: A Comparative Analysis of English Language Textbooks in Terms of The Notion of English as An International Language*

Abstract

The global spread of English in recent years has made the native speaker ideology, dominant in ELT for years, questionable. Recent studies on English textbooks point to a shift from the inner circle bias towards a more pluralistic approach, embracing the different uses and users of English and the variety of associated cultural elements. This study aims to analyse two textbooks commonly used in Turkey to teach English, Language Hub Elementary and English File Fourth Edition Elementary. The textbooks are evaluated in line with the concept of English as an International Language (EIL) drawing on Kachru's framework, the Three Concentric Circles of the English Language. The results reveal that these two recently published books do not represent the diversity of English uses, users, and local cultures from the outer circle counties. Compared to English File Fourth Edition Elementary, Language Hub Elementary shows a more pluralistic approach, presenting a sheer number of characters and a variety of accents and cultural elements from the expanding circle. On the other hand, a marked bias towards inner circle characters, their standard English, and the elements of Anglo-Saxon culture has been identified in English File Fourth Edition Elementary. The aspects specific to Turkish culture are unavailable in Language Hub Elementary and are quite limited in English File Fourth Edition Elementary. The study’s findings offer important implications for material designers and ELT scholars.

Keywords

• English as an International Language (EIL)
• expanding circle
• inner circle
• outer circle
• textbook evaluation

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