Readability of English language textbooks for diploma students of the University of Cape Coast

Abstract

Because of the significance of the textbooks in the teaching and learning processes, it is essential to revise them permanently. This study investigated the readability level of the 12 th-grade English textbooks and also examined if the reading texts used in Action Pack 12 were suitable linguistically for the 12 th-grade students. This study adopted the qualitative descriptive design by using the Fry Graph to calculate the readability level. The researchers chose randomly 20 texts out of 36 texts as a sample of the study. The results revealed that 80% out of the 20 texts were under the level of the 12 th-grade students in Jordan. Also, the results indicated that 15 % of the texts were invalid and only 5% of the texts were within the 12 th-grade students' level. The findings also indicated that Action Pack 12 was suitable linguistically for 12 th-grade students. Several recommendations are put forth.