An Evaluation of the English Textbook Currently Used for Classes IX & X

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with the evaluation of the English textbook currently used for classes IX & X of Secondary schools in Bangladesh. It tries to identify particular strengths and weaknesses of the textbook with a view to suggesting improvements, if necessary, to make teaching and learning of English more effective at the secondary level. This study will also help teachers to gain good and useful insights into the nature of textbook/materials so that, if necessary, they can use their own extra materials to supplement the prescribed English textbook. Our students' levels of English proficiency, after the completion of S.S.C., in all the four skills - reading, writing, listening, and speaking are very inadequate. One of the major reasons for this may be the absence of effective textbook/materials. It is, therefore, necessary to examine the effectiveness of the textbook/materials in the light of the recent theoretical developments in the field. The objectives of the study are to examine: (a) .t.yout and design of the book, (b) activities and tasks in the book, (c) skills covered and balanced of skills, (d) language type provided, (e) grading and sequencina,of the items, and (f) subject and content used. For empirical research the study used teachers' and students' questionnaire survey and a checklist for the researcher's own evaluation of the book. The results show that the book has some strengths, but it has a number of weaknesses also. Finally the study suggests measures to overcome the weaknesses of the book.