A contextual analysis of EFL textbook text types in Spanish upper secondary education

Entity: Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV)

Confidenciality: No

Education area(s): Ensenyament i Adquisició de l'Anglès com a Llengua Estrangera / Segona Llengua

Title in different languages: A contextual analysis of EFL textbook text types in Spanish upper secondary education

Abstract: Textbooks play a crucial part in EFL classrooms all around the world. It is well established that most Spanish and Catalan classrooms use textbooks for their English instruction. Therefore, the textbook rests at the centerfold of the overall learning process. As a result, the primary source of context is the textbook itself for grammar use, vocabulary, genres, and overall text. However, most of the reading material that appears in Spanish or Catalan EFL schoolbooks is fabricated by a team of professionals who work for the editorial. Therefore, the sole intent of a text is to be a learning tool for a specific exercise or as means to include the specific grammar instruction of a unit. Thus, the contextual element of real content is lost. The texts that appear in most schoolbooks aim to mimic those texts found in realistic contexts. The texts found in textbooks lack a contextual source and are built to include the wanted grammar material. This formula often results in a plain and unnatural language that would not be seen in a real-life context. This project aims to analyze and explore a selection of texts found in three chosen textbooks of secondary education in Spain. The analysis, study, and third-party feedback will determine if the texts found in EFL textbooks provide the context, entertainment, and information suited for secondary students learners of English.

Subject: Filologia

Academic year: 2020-2021

Language: en

Work's public defense date: 2021-06-22

Subject areas: Philology

Student: Cluciar Dehelean, Raika Miruna

Work's codirector: Oltra-Massuet, Isabel

Department: Estudis Anglesos i Alemanys

Creation date in repository: 2021-07-06

TFM credits: 11

Keywords: reading material, unnatural language, dull themes, lack of motivation, grammar-based teaching, form-focused, communicative language teaching

Title in original language: A contextual analysis of EFL textbook text types in Spanish upper secondary education

Access Rights: info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Project director: Hryckiewicz de Apellaniz, Olga