An EFL coursebook evaluation through the lens of preparatory school instructors
Year 2023,
Volume: 12 Issue: 1, 1 - 28, 12.07.2023
Muhammed Emin Yüksel
Reşit Köse
Çağrı Doğan
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the English File series as a course book material for university preparatory school students in an EFL context. The study gathered data through a triangulation of data collection procedures, including surveys and interviews with preparatory school instructors. The results revealed that the English File series was largely suitable for university students studying in preparatory classes with the purpose of general English proficiency. However, the study also found some areas of improvement, such as the integration of contemporary topics and the use of grammar points and vocabulary exercises in more meaningful contexts. While the book made a significant effort to promote intercultural competence, there were also several cultural biases and stereotypes that might necessitate revision. The study suggests that the publishing house should take into consideration the opinions and suggestions put forward by the instructors and conduct further studies to understand the effectiveness and functionality of the book in the region. Overall, the study provides insights for educators and stakeholders interested in enhancing the learning environment for EFL students using the English File series as a course book material.
Thanks
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the participants of the foreign languageschool for their cooperation and contributions as their valuable insights and assistance greatlyenriched the findings of this study.
References
- Ahmadi, E. & Ahour, T. (2012). Retrospective evaluation of textbook “Summit 2B” for its suitability for EFL undergraduate students. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 2(5), 195-202.
- Alemi, M., & Sadehvandi, N. (2012). Textbook evaluation: EFL teachers' perspectives on" Pacesetter Series". English language teaching, 5(7), 64-74.
- Brooks, J. G., & Brooks, M. G. (2001). In search of understanding: The case for constructivist classrooms (2nd ed.). Merrill/Prentice Hall. Brown, J. B. (1997). Textbook evaluation form. The Language Teacher, 21(10), 15-21.
- Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE.
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- Dimici, K., Yıldız, B., & Başbay, A. (2018). An analysis of an English coursebook (English File) in terms of multiculturalism. Journal of Language Education and Research, 4(3), 175-200.
- Ellis, R. (1997). The empirical evaluation of language teaching materials. ELT Journal 51(1)36-42.
- Fakazlı, Ö., & Baytar, İ. (2021). A comparative analysis of two English coursebooks in terms of cultural elements (Headway and English File). İnönü Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 22(3), 2259-2276.
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- Nunan, D. (1991). Language teaching methodology: A textbook for teachers. Cambridge University Press.
- Rahimi, M. (2015). EFL teachers’ and learners’ perspectives on “English file series”. Global Journal of Foreign Language Teaching, 5(2), 115-128.
- Razmjoo, S. A. (2007). High schools or private institutes textbooks? Which fulfill communicative language teaching principles in the Iranian context ? Asian EFL Journal, 9(4), 126-140. https://doi.org/10.4304/jltr.3.6.1128-1134
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- Taş, S. (2010). A critical evaluation of the New English File series in terms of culture teaching. ODÜ Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Sosyal Bilimler Araştırmaları Dergisi, 1(2), 168-177.
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- Tsiplakides, I. (2011). Selecting an English coursebook: Theory and practice. Theory and practice in language studies, 1(7), 758-764. https://doi.org/10.4304/TPLS.1.7.758-764
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- Williams, D. (1983). Developing criteria for textbook evaluation. ELT Journal, 37(3), 251- 255. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/37.3.251
- Willis, J. (1996). A Framework for Task-Based Learning. London: Longman. Zohrabi, M. (2011). Coursebook development and evaluation for English for general purpose course. English LanguageTeaching, 4(2), 213-214. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v4n2p213.
Year 2023,
Volume: 12 Issue: 1, 1 - 28, 12.07.2023
Muhammed Emin Yüksel
Reşit Köse
Çağrı Doğan
References
- Ahmadi, E. & Ahour, T. (2012). Retrospective evaluation of textbook “Summit 2B” for its suitability for EFL undergraduate students. Journal of Educational and Social Research, 2(5), 195-202.
- Alemi, M., & Sadehvandi, N. (2012). Textbook evaluation: EFL teachers' perspectives on" Pacesetter Series". English language teaching, 5(7), 64-74.
- Brooks, J. G., & Brooks, M. G. (2001). In search of understanding: The case for constructivist classrooms (2nd ed.). Merrill/Prentice Hall. Brown, J. B. (1997). Textbook evaluation form. The Language Teacher, 21(10), 15-21.
- Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE.
- Cunningsworth, A. (1995). Choosing your coursebook. Macmillan. Denzin, N. K. (1970). The research act: A theoretical introduction to sociological methods. Aldine.
- Dimici, K., Yıldız, B., & Başbay, A. (2018). An analysis of an English coursebook (English File) in terms of multiculturalism. Journal of Language Education and Research, 4(3), 175-200.
- Ellis, R. (1997). The empirical evaluation of language teaching materials. ELT Journal 51(1)36-42.
- Fakazlı, Ö., & Baytar, İ. (2021). A comparative analysis of two English coursebooks in terms of cultural elements (Headway and English File). İnönü Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 22(3), 2259-2276.
- Harmer, J. (2007). The practice of English language teaching. Pearson Education. Haycroft, J. (1998). An introduction to English language teaching. Longman.
- Hutchinson, T. & Torres, E. (1994). The textbook as agent of change. ELT Journal, 48(4), 315-328. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/48.4.315
- Işık, A. (2013). How are ELT materials chosen in high schools? Some suggestions. Hacettepe Üniversitesi Eğitim Fakültesi Dergisi, 28(1), 28-1. Lennon, P. (2012). Learner autonomy in the English classroom: Empirical studies and ideas for Teachers. Frankfurt am Main: Peter Lang AG.
- Linder, D. (1999). Authentic texts in ESL/EFL. TESOL Matters, 9(6), 17.
- Littlejohn, A. (2011). The analysis of language teaching materials: inside the Trojan Horse. In Tomlinson, B. (Ed.) Materials Development in Language Teaching (179-211). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Litz, D. R. (2005). Textbook evaluation and ELT management: A South Korean case study. Asian EFL journal, 48(1), 1-53.
- McDonough, J. & Shaw, C. (1998). Materials and methods in ELT: a teacher’s guide applied language studies. Blackwell Publishers Inc.
- Mukundan J. (2012). Evaluative criteria of an English language textbook evaluation checklist. Journal Of Language Teaching And Research, 3(6), 1128-1134.
- Nunan, D. (1991). Language teaching methodology: A textbook for teachers. Cambridge University Press.
- Rahimi, M. (2015). EFL teachers’ and learners’ perspectives on “English file series”. Global Journal of Foreign Language Teaching, 5(2), 115-128.
- Razmjoo, S. A. (2007). High schools or private institutes textbooks? Which fulfill communicative language teaching principles in the Iranian context ? Asian EFL Journal, 9(4), 126-140. https://doi.org/10.4304/jltr.3.6.1128-1134
- Richards, J. C. (2001). The role of textbooks in a language program. Cambridge. Sheldon, L. (1988). Evaluating ELT textbooks and materials. ELT journal, 42(4), 237-246. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/42.4.237
- Taş, S. (2010). A critical evaluation of the New English File series in terms of culture teaching. ODÜ Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Sosyal Bilimler Araştırmaları Dergisi, 1(2), 168-177.
- Tomlinson, B. (Ed.). (1998) Materials development in language teaching. Cambridge. Tomlinson, B. (2010). Principles for effective materials development. In N. Harwood (Ed.), English language teaching materials: Theory and practice (pp. 80-108). Cambridge. Tomlinson, B. (Ed.). (2011). Materials development in language teaching (Revised ed.). Cambridge.
- Tsiplakides, I. (2011). Selecting an English coursebook: Theory and practice. Theory and practice in language studies, 1(7), 758-764. https://doi.org/10.4304/TPLS.1.7.758-764
- Yapıcı, B. (2019). Textbook evaluation in English language teaching: Solutions, pre-intermediate. Kusad, 2(1), 62-74.
- Williams, D. (1983). Developing criteria for textbook evaluation. ELT Journal, 37(3), 251- 255. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/37.3.251
- Willis, J. (1996). A Framework for Task-Based Learning. London: Longman. Zohrabi, M. (2011). Coursebook development and evaluation for English for general purpose course. English LanguageTeaching, 4(2), 213-214. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v4n2p213.