Selecting an English Coursebook: Theory and Practice

Abstract

Research on coursebook selection and evaluation suggests that the process of selecting an English coursebook is a complex and multifaceted task.Especially at a time when the market is inundated with a host of coursebooks for the teaching of English as a second or foreign language, selecting a suitable coursebook becomes a critical process, since it can have an enormous impact on students' engagement, motivation to learn, and ultimately their language performance.In this article we present the theoretical background on coursebook selection.We first discuss the role of the coursebook in English language instruction, and a short literature review on the advantages and disadvantages of using it.We also describe the two main types of coursebook evaluation, predictive and retrospective evaluation.The next part deals with the critical issue of adapting English coursebooks, so that they cater for the specific students' needs and match the purposes of the curriculum.We finally deal with the pedagogical implications, offering practical advice and suggestions about how teachers might become more successful in selecting a coursebook in the teaching of English as a second or foreign language.

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