Evaluation of English Textbooks in Türki̇ye From the Viewpoint of Sociolinguistics
Özet
English has evolved from a locally used language to a global lingua franca, influenced by factors such as British colonization, literature, technological advancements, international business, and the global prestige of the United States (Crystal, 2003). Since 1980s, the number of non-native English speakers has surpassed that of native speakers, highlighting the need for developing ICC to ensure successful communication (Alptekin, 2002). According to the literature (Jain, 2024; Kramsch, 1993; Scarino & Liddicoat, 2009), one way to aid in developing students’ ICC is to incorporate sociolinguistic aspects into English textbooks. Thus, the present paper focuses on the context of Türkiye, reviewing the existing literature on EFL textbook evaluations from sociolinguistic perspectives. It reveals that while Turkish EFL textbooks acknowledge English varieties and non-native cultures, the representation is limited, restricting students' awareness and preparedness. Based on the literature, this paper suggests that the MoNE and textbook designers should enhance the representation of linguistic and cultural diversity in EFL materials. This approach would better equip Turkish students to be familiar with English varieties, interpret diverse communications, and avoid misunderstandings in real-world interactions. In doing so, it contributes to the studies on materials design and curriculum development as well as foreign language teaching in a broader sense.
Keywords: Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC), English as a foreign language (EFL), Textbook Evaluation, World Englishes, Varieties of English.
Referanslar
Ahmed, S. (2017). Authentic ELT materials in the language classroom: An overview. Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 4(2), 181-202. Retrieved from https://www.jallr.com/index.php/JALLR/article/view/551
Akdağ, E., & Selçuk Çağlar, C. (2019). Silver lining 11: Student’s book. MEB Yayınları.
Akgedik Can, M., & Atcan Altan, N. (2019). Sunshine English 11: Student’s book. Cem Web Offset AŞ.
Alptekin, C. (2002). Towards intercultural communicative competence in ELT. ELT Journal, 56(1), 57-64. doi: 10.1093/elt/56.1.57
Atar, C. (2022). ELF and World Englishes: Implications for L2/FL pedagogy. In S. Gürkan (Ed.), Sociolinguistics & language teaching (pp. 169-185). Eğiten Publishing. ISBN: 978-625-7527-99-6
Atar, C., & Amir, A. (2020, December). A sociolinguistic analysis of English textbooks in Sweden [Paper presentation]. 12th ICOSRESSE International Conference of Strategic Research on Scientific Studies and Education held between 10-13 December 2020. Webinar. ISBN: 978-625-7148-10-8
Atar, C., & Erdem, C. (2020). A sociolinguistic perspective in the analysis of English textbooks: Development of a checklist. Research in Pedagogy, 10(2), 398-416. doi: 10.5937/IstrPed2002398A
Byram, M. (1997). Teaching and assessing Intercultural Communicative Competence. Multilingual Matters.
Byram, M. (2006). Developing a concept of intercultural citizenship. Languages for Intercultural Communication and Education. In G. Alred, M. Byram & M. Fleming (Eds.), Education for intercultural citizenship: Concepts and comparisons (pp. 13-109). Multilingual Matters.
Çakır, E. C. (2021). An evaluation of the “Upswing English” textbook from the sociolinguistic perspective. PESA Uluslararası Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 7(1), 63-75. doi: 10.25272/j.2149-8385.2021.7.1.06
Çakır, N. (2021). Evaluating English Textbook: A Sociolinguistic Perspective. The Literacy Trek, 7(2), 65-80. doi: 10.47216/literacytrek.896070
Canagarajah, S. (2013). Translingual practice: Global Englishes and cosmopolitan relations. Routledge.
Çelik, S., & Erbay-Çetinkaya, Ş. (2022). (Inter)cultural elements and representations in English language coursebooks. In H. Çelik & S. Çelik (Eds.), Coursebook evaluation in English as a foreign language (EFL) education (pp. 235-272). Vizetek.
Çimen, F., Taşkıran Tiğin, B., Çokçalışkan, A., Özyıldırım, N., & Özdemir, M. (2019). Count me in coursebook 12: Student’s book. Devlet Kitapları.
Crystal, D. (2003). English as a global language. Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511486999
Crystal, D. (2008). A dictionary of linguistics and phonetics. Blackwell Publishing.
Deardorff, D. K. (2006). Identification and assessment of intercultural competence as a student outcome of internationalization. Journal of Studies in International Education, 10(3), 241-266. doi: 10.1177/1028315306287002
Genç Karataş, Ç. (2018). Ortaöğretim İngilizce 10 ders kitabı [Secondary Education English Coursebook for Grade 10]. Gizem Yayıncılık.
Genç, L. G., & Meral, S. (2020). Evaluation of an English coursebook in Turkey based upon sociolinguistic aspects. PESA Uluslararası Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 6(2), 171-181. doi: 10.25272/j.2149-8385.2020.6.2.07
Graddol, D. (2006). Why global English may mean the end of “English as a foreign language”. British Council.
Heine, B., & Kuteva, T. (2002). World lexicon of grammaticalization. Cambridge University Press.
Holmes, J. (2013). An introduction to sociolinguistics. Routledge.
Hymes, D. H. (1972). On communicative competence. In J. B. Pride & J. Holmes (Eds.), Sociolinguistics: Selected readings (pp. 269-293). Penguin.
Jain, P. (2024). Authentic materials for intercultural communication: Develop speaking materials that encourage learners to engage in authentic cross-cultural communication effectively in diverse global contexts. Creative Saplings, 3(4), 1-14. doi: 10.56062/gtrs.2024.3.4.563
Kachru, B. (1992). The other tongue. English across cultures. University of Illinois Press.
Kachru, B. (2006). World Englishes. In B. Kachru, Y. Kachru, & C. L. Nelson (Eds.), The handbook of World Englishes (pp. 521-528). Blackwell.
Karamil, L., & Birincioğlu Kaldar, E. (2019). Relearn! Grade 9. Student’s book. Pasifik Yayınları.
Kramsch, C. (1993). Context and culture in language teaching. Oxford University Press.
Mallinson, C. (2015). Sociolinguistics: A resource book for students. Routledge.
Mazrui, A. A., & Mazrui, A. M. (1998). The power of babel: Language and governance in the African experience. James Currey Ltd.
McKay, S. L. (2011). Teaching English as an international language: Rethinking goals and approaches. Oxford University Press.
Ostler, N. (2005). Empires of the word: A language history of the world. HarperCollins.
Rathert, S. (2023). Local coursebooks as promoters of teaching for international communication? A case study. In T. Tinnefeld (ed.) Bridging language boundaries: Explorations in communication across borders (71-88). SSLM.
Sankoff, D. (2004). Sociolinguistics: An introduction to language and society. Oxford University Press.
Scarino, A., & Liddicoat, A. J. (2009). Teaching and learning sociocultural competence in intercultural settings. In A. Liddicoat & A. Scarino (Eds.), Intercultural language teaching and learning (pp. 9-27). Wiley-Blackwell.
Seidlhofer, B. (2005). English as a lingua franca. ELT Journal, 59, 339-341. doi: 10.1093/elt/cci064
Tıraş, B. (2019). Primary school just fun English grade 3. Tutku Yayıncılık.
Tıraş, B. (2020). Upswing English student's book 8. Tutku Yayıncılık.
Wardhaugh, R., & Fuller, J. M. (2015). An introduction to sociolinguistics. Wiley.
Referanslar
Ahmed, S. (2017). Authentic ELT materials in the language classroom: An overview. Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 4(2), 181-202. Retrieved from https://www.jallr.com/index.php/JALLR/article/view/551
Akdağ, E., & Selçuk Çağlar, C. (2019). Silver lining 11: Student’s book. MEB Yayınları.
Akgedik Can, M., & Atcan Altan, N. (2019). Sunshine English 11: Student’s book. Cem Web Offset AŞ.
Alptekin, C. (2002). Towards intercultural communicative competence in ELT. ELT Journal, 56(1), 57-64. doi: 10.1093/elt/56.1.57
Atar, C. (2022). ELF and World Englishes: Implications for L2/FL pedagogy. In S. Gürkan (Ed.), Sociolinguistics & language teaching (pp. 169-185). Eğiten Publishing. ISBN: 978-625-7527-99-6
Atar, C., & Amir, A. (2020, December). A sociolinguistic analysis of English textbooks in Sweden [Paper presentation]. 12th ICOSRESSE International Conference of Strategic Research on Scientific Studies and Education held between 10-13 December 2020. Webinar. ISBN: 978-625-7148-10-8
Atar, C., & Erdem, C. (2020). A sociolinguistic perspective in the analysis of English textbooks: Development of a checklist. Research in Pedagogy, 10(2), 398-416. doi: 10.5937/IstrPed2002398A
Byram, M. (1997). Teaching and assessing Intercultural Communicative Competence. Multilingual Matters.
Byram, M. (2006). Developing a concept of intercultural citizenship. Languages for Intercultural Communication and Education. In G. Alred, M. Byram & M. Fleming (Eds.), Education for intercultural citizenship: Concepts and comparisons (pp. 13-109). Multilingual Matters.
Çakır, E. C. (2021). An evaluation of the “Upswing English” textbook from the sociolinguistic perspective. PESA Uluslararası Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 7(1), 63-75. doi: 10.25272/j.2149-8385.2021.7.1.06
Çakır, N. (2021). Evaluating English Textbook: A Sociolinguistic Perspective. The Literacy Trek, 7(2), 65-80. doi: 10.47216/literacytrek.896070
Canagarajah, S. (2013). Translingual practice: Global Englishes and cosmopolitan relations. Routledge.
Çelik, S., & Erbay-Çetinkaya, Ş. (2022). (Inter)cultural elements and representations in English language coursebooks. In H. Çelik & S. Çelik (Eds.), Coursebook evaluation in English as a foreign language (EFL) education (pp. 235-272). Vizetek.
Çimen, F., Taşkıran Tiğin, B., Çokçalışkan, A., Özyıldırım, N., & Özdemir, M. (2019). Count me in coursebook 12: Student’s book. Devlet Kitapları.
Crystal, D. (2003). English as a global language. Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/CBO9780511486999
Crystal, D. (2008). A dictionary of linguistics and phonetics. Blackwell Publishing.
Deardorff, D. K. (2006). Identification and assessment of intercultural competence as a student outcome of internationalization. Journal of Studies in International Education, 10(3), 241-266. doi: 10.1177/1028315306287002
Genç Karataş, Ç. (2018). Ortaöğretim İngilizce 10 ders kitabı [Secondary Education English Coursebook for Grade 10]. Gizem Yayıncılık.
Genç, L. G., & Meral, S. (2020). Evaluation of an English coursebook in Turkey based upon sociolinguistic aspects. PESA Uluslararası Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 6(2), 171-181. doi: 10.25272/j.2149-8385.2020.6.2.07
Graddol, D. (2006). Why global English may mean the end of “English as a foreign language”. British Council.
Heine, B., & Kuteva, T. (2002). World lexicon of grammaticalization. Cambridge University Press.
Holmes, J. (2013). An introduction to sociolinguistics. Routledge.
Hymes, D. H. (1972). On communicative competence. In J. B. Pride & J. Holmes (Eds.), Sociolinguistics: Selected readings (pp. 269-293). Penguin.
Jain, P. (2024). Authentic materials for intercultural communication: Develop speaking materials that encourage learners to engage in authentic cross-cultural communication effectively in diverse global contexts. Creative Saplings, 3(4), 1-14. doi: 10.56062/gtrs.2024.3.4.563
Kachru, B. (1992). The other tongue. English across cultures. University of Illinois Press.
Kachru, B. (2006). World Englishes. In B. Kachru, Y. Kachru, & C. L. Nelson (Eds.), The handbook of World Englishes (pp. 521-528). Blackwell.
Karamil, L., & Birincioğlu Kaldar, E. (2019). Relearn! Grade 9. Student’s book. Pasifik Yayınları.
Kramsch, C. (1993). Context and culture in language teaching. Oxford University Press.
Mallinson, C. (2015). Sociolinguistics: A resource book for students. Routledge.
Mazrui, A. A., & Mazrui, A. M. (1998). The power of babel: Language and governance in the African experience. James Currey Ltd.
McKay, S. L. (2011). Teaching English as an international language: Rethinking goals and approaches. Oxford University Press.
Ostler, N. (2005). Empires of the word: A language history of the world. HarperCollins.
Rathert, S. (2023). Local coursebooks as promoters of teaching for international communication? A case study. In T. Tinnefeld (ed.) Bridging language boundaries: Explorations in communication across borders (71-88). SSLM.
Sankoff, D. (2004). Sociolinguistics: An introduction to language and society. Oxford University Press.
Scarino, A., & Liddicoat, A. J. (2009). Teaching and learning sociocultural competence in intercultural settings. In A. Liddicoat & A. Scarino (Eds.), Intercultural language teaching and learning (pp. 9-27). Wiley-Blackwell.
Seidlhofer, B. (2005). English as a lingua franca. ELT Journal, 59, 339-341. doi: 10.1093/elt/cci064
Tıraş, B. (2019). Primary school just fun English grade 3. Tutku Yayıncılık.
Tıraş, B. (2020). Upswing English student's book 8. Tutku Yayıncılık.
Wardhaugh, R., & Fuller, J. M. (2015). An introduction to sociolinguistics. Wiley.
