Analysis of the materials of English for Today textbook (class- XI-XII)

Abstract

The main aim of the English curriculum is to make the learners competent in all four language skills (reading, speaking, writing and reading). However, it is found that Bangladeshi students even after studying English as a second language for 12 years are not able to use the language proficiently. Various scholars have noted that the communicative language teaching principles incorporated in the textbook are not effective enough practically. Thus, it is important to evaluate the textbook the students of mainstream schools are following. The study examines the implementation of the four language skills that are being used in the contents of English for Today textbook for class-XI-XII. Moreover, the study also explored the representation of communicative competence in its content and exercises. To evaluate the textbook, the researcher has designed a framework that examines chapters of the textbook with the focus on four language skills and Dell Hymes’ (1971) communicative competences. The analysis of the textbook shows that the whole book is not solely based on communicative approach as it does not promote equal integration of the four skills, especially, listening and speaking skill. In terms of Hymes’ communicative competence, grammatical, sociolinguistic, and strategic and discourse competence were implemented in many of the units. The study will work as a guideline for the material designers and curriculum designers to re-design the English textbook based on the principles of Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) and the communicative competence that promotes four language skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking), which lies under communicative approach of learning language.