Evaluation of an ESP Textbook for the Students of Preschool and Primary Education

Abstract

No one can deny the paramount importance of textbooks in teaching English especially for specific purposes. McGrath (2006) argues that " course books tend to dictate what is taught, in what order and, to what extent, how and what learners learn'(p.171). He thinks of a textbook as an essential component of the classroom and evaluating the textbooks is believed to have a vital role in improving and increasing their fitness to the needs of the learners. This study focuses on evaluating the textbook English for the students of preschool and primary education. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether the ESP textbook taught at university level in Iran for B.A students of Preschool and Primary Education is satisfying students' objectives, needs, and wants. For this purpose, a questionnaire was used. Participants included 20 ESP teachers and 50 students of preschool and primary education taking an ESP course at Allameh tabatabai and Bentolhoda Campuses in Ardabil Farhangian University. The results of the analysis indicated that there is a significant difference between the students' and teachers' views regarding practical concern, subject matter, activities, and content of the book. Their overall view is that the textbook, in spite of having merits, mostly focused on reading skills and overlooked other skills and sub skills.