The Role Of Textbooks In English Language Learning

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In the process of teaching and learning, textbooks are of great value and effect. Textbooks are considered an essential component of any EFL course so that the use of EFL published materials is more widespread than ever (Zohrabi, Sabouri & Behroozian, 2012). In practice, textbooks serve teachers with guidelines concerning syllabi, teaching methodologies, and the materials to be taught. In order to select the best appropriate text, material developers should pay special attention. Textbooks are valuable in each language classroom, and they have several roles in English Language Teaching (ELT) curriculum and help the process of language teaching and learning. A textbook has a very virtual role in teaching and learning of English. "Textbooks are …show more content…

They are a kind of support for both teachers and learners. Textbooks provide students a kind of consistency"(p. 95). They have an important influence in the instructional process. ELT textbooks have major function in the current discussion. Sheldon (1988, p. 237) states that “textbooks represent the visible heart of any ELT program”. Textbooks are an almost universal component of English language teaching. ELT textbooks play the role of a teacher, a map, a resource, a restrictor, and as an ideology (Cortazzi & Jin, 1999). Textbooks hold a paramount status as an indispensible ingredient of language teaching profession; therefore, appraising and evaluating them seems to be imperative to assure their efficiency and consistency with the objectives defined and expected of the course. Constant evaluation of textbooks to see if they are appropriate is of great importance. This process enables us to make informed decisions through which student achievement will increase and educational programs will be more successful (Zohrabi, Sabouri & Behroozian, 2012). According to Ahour and Ahmadi (2012), textbooks give suitable knowledge to the learners. Subsequently, in order to collect an applicable textbook that provides the needs of the learners according to their cultures, the textbook evaluation is required. Though there are different standard textbook evaluation

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