Article Review 1: The Role of Textbooks In a Language Program

This is a review of " the role of textbooks in a language program" by Jack Richards.
to read the original article please click here.

In most language programs, text books are the key component. They may provide the basis for the content of the lesson, the balance of skills taught and the kinds of language practice the students take part in. in some situations they serve as the basis for much of the language input learners receive and the language practice that occurs in the classroom. Materials in textbooks can act as a good medium for presenting new language, such as dialogues/written texts (Johnson, 2001: 239).

But the use of commercial textbooks in teaching has both advantages and disadvantages, depending on how they are used and the context for their use.

Advantages:

They provide structure and a syllabus for a program, they help standardize instruction, they maintain quality, they provide a variety of learning resources, they are efficient, they can provide effective language and input, they can train teachers, they are visually appealing, they may contain inauthentic language.

Disadvantages:

They may contain inauthentic language, they may distort content, they may not reflect students' needs, they can deskill teachers, they are expensive.

Today with such an array of commercial textbooks and other kinds of instructional materials to choose from teachers and others responsible for choosing materials need to be able to make informed judgments about textbooks and teaching materials. But there are some information needed, before one can evaluate a textbook:

-the role of the textbook in the program.

-the teacher in the program

-the learner in the program

And now, considering information above, there are some criteria for textbook evaluation:

1.they should correspond to the learner's needs.

2.they should reflect the uses which learners will make of the language.

3.they should take account of students' needs as learners and should facilitate their learning processes, without dogmatically imposing a rigid "method".

4.they should have a clear role as a support for learning.

Commercial books can seldom be used without some form of adaptation to make them more suitable for the particular context In which they will be used. This adaptation may take a variety of roles:

1.modifying content

2.adding or deleting content

3.reorganizing content

4.addrssing omissions

5.modifying tasks

6.extending tasks

No matter what form of materials teachers make use of, they represent plans for teaching. Collecting information on how teachers use course books and other teaching materials is very important, so it is important to monitor teachers. Monitoring takes the following forms:

Observation, feedback sessions, written reports, reviews, students' reviews.

Textbooks should be regarded as one of the many resources teachers can draw upon In creating effective lessons, but teachers need training and experience in adapting and modifying textbooks as well as in using authentic materials and in creating their own teaching materials.