Investigating the effectiveness of the reading materials in an English language coursebook: A Case from Turkey

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reading materials in the Speakout coursebook used as an instructional material for EFL learners enrolled in a language preparatory program in Turkey. Specifically, the reading materials were examined in terms of text appropriateness, purpose of the materials, learner needs and vocabulary development taking emphasizing the perceptions and experiences of the Turkish EFL instructors. The participants of this study were 163 EFL instructors working at a foundation (non-profit, private) university in Istanbul, Turkey. The data was collected from a questionnaire, reflective essays and stimulated recall protocols. The findings revealed that the reading materials were satisfying in relation to length, level of the texts along with authenticity and introduction of target culture; however, certain modifications with regard to topics, genre, visuals, strategies, activities and word recycle were required to be addressed more closely. Based on the gathered findings, the reading materials were adapted in the existing program.

Keywords

• coursebook evaluation,reading materials,teachers’ perceptions,English as a foreign language (EFL)

İngilizce Ders Kitabındaki Okuma Materyallerinin Etkililiğinin Araştırılması: Türkiye'den bir Örnek

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı, Türkiye’nin yabancı dil hazırlık programlarında, orta seviyede ingilizce yeterliliğine sahip öğrenciler için eğitim materyali olarak kullanılan Speakout ders kitabındaki okuma materyallerinin etkililiğini incelemektir. Okuma materyalleri özellikle metinlerin seviyeye uygunluk düzeyi, amaçları, öğrenci gereksinimleri ve kelime gelişimi açısından ele alınmıştır. Bu çalışmaya İstanbul’da özel bir üniversitede çalışmakta olan, yabancı dil olarak İngilizce öğreten 60 öğretim üyesi katılmıştır ve veriler bu kişilere uygulanan anketler, yansıtıcı metinler ve sesli düşünme tekniği ile toplanmıştır. Bulgular okuma materyallerinin uzunluğu, seviyesi, gerçekliğe uygunluğu ve erek kültürün tanıtımı açısından etkili olduğunu ancak hala konu, çeşit, görseller, okuma stratejileri, aktiviteler ve kelime tanıma ile ilgili bazı değişikliklere değinilmesi gerektiğini vurgulamıştır. Çalışma ayrıca ders kitabı değerlendirmesinde dikkate alınması gereken bazı pedagojik öneriler sunmaktadır

Keywords

• ders kitabı değerlendirmesi,okuma materyalleri,öğretim üyelerinin görüşleriı,yabancı dil olarak İngilizce öğretimi

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