The English textbooks evaluated are used to prepare students for the competitive high school entrance examinations in Taiwan, thus students spend a great deal of time studying them. Though the textbooks were stated to be designed for language and cultural learning purposes, it seems no study exists that examines to what degree there is clear articulation between the government's stated culture learning goal and actual textbook content. Therefore, this study examines to what degree the textbooks allow students to reach said goal, that is, "to increase culture awareness of the societies and cultures of foreign countries and our own" (Junior High English Language Curriculum 1985, p.l). This study intends to answer five major questions: (1) what is the scope of the cultures presented?; (2) what sub-cultures represent Chinese and foreign cultures?; (3) what is the nature of inter and intracultural interactions between characters?; ( 4) what level( s) of culture do the textbooks deal with?; (5) how is the socio-cultural information presented? Hernandez's dissertation (1986) was followed in developing this study: the coding system was developed to correspond to the five questions above, and content analysis was the study method used. Data was gathered from two textbooks. Research revealed that the textbooks did not reflect the stated cultural study goal. The textbooks provided a narrow spectrum of socio-cultural elements, presenting the American culture as the only representative of foreign cultures. Both American and Chinese socio-cultural elements were portrayed on the surface level. Little interaction existed between Chinese and American cultures, with relationships confined to primarily acquaintances, and the issues discussed limited to daily life and trivial issues. The readings emphasized surface level culture with few attempts at linking more overt behavioral and cultural features. Most of the readings discussed information from a historical view, and the post-reading questions presented in the textbooks focused on a factual nature.

Thesis (M.Ed. (Language Education)) --University of Limpopo, 2011. / This study investigated the effect of cultural background on comprehension of English texts by second language learners. The study specifically aimed at determining whether cultural background had any effect on comprehension of English texts by second language learners and whether the second language learners’ cultural background could help them comprehend unfamiliar texts. The background of the study in this mini dissertation was followed by the discussion on the literature available on this topic. This study followed a case study design which utilized 89 respondents from the Further Education and Training band of a rural secondary school in the north of Limpopo province. Data was obtained through the completion of questionnaires and answering of questions from a comprehension test based on English culture. The findings showed that there was no total comprehension of the text by learners who use English as a second language. Learners of English as a second language need to possess specific cultural schemata to comprehend texts that are unfamiliar to them. This study was informed by the schema theory. There is a significant effect of cultural background on the comprehension of English text by second language learners. KEY WORDS: Schema theory. Culture Comprehension. Cultural background

This thesis was a critical analysis of students academic second language writing at Sokoine University of Agriculture. Student writing in English as a second language in higher education has excited much interest in the English as a Second Language writing research and discussion in Tanzania. The interest was motivated by frequent criticisms from examiners regarding students literacy performance in the English as a Second Language writing in the post primary and higher education where the language of instruction is English as is configured in the Tanzanian language policy.

This thesis was a critical analysis of students academic second language writing at Sokoine University of Agriculture. Student writing in English as a second language in higher education has excited much interest in the English as a Second Language writing research and discussion in Tanzania. The interest was motivated by frequent criticisms from examiners regarding students literacy performance in the English as a Second Language writing in the post primary and higher education where the language of instruction is English as is configured in the Tanzanian language policy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of DVDs in enhancing student vocabulary development in second-language contexts. To this end the study sought students’ perceptions of DVD subtitles and their level of vocabulary knowledge. It also examined the extent to which watching a DVD with or without intralingual subtitles can improve students’ vocabulary recognition and recall. The literature review included a discussion on the variables operant in second-language acquisition; the use of visual media on vocabulary learning; and the effects of subtitling practices as a didactic tool for vocabulary recall and recognition. The study adopted a mixed-method approach and data were collected through a survey and openended questionnaire; a Vocabulary Levels Test; a Vocabulary Knowledge Scale Test; and vocabulary intervention activities. The findings indicate that DVDs can enhance students’ vocabulary in second-language teaching and learning contexts. More importantly the study confirms audio-visual images create greater sensory input that is, “words associated with actual objects or imagery techniques, are learned more easily than those without” (Chun and Plass, 1996:183). / English Studies / M.A. (TESOL)

M.A. / The language and learning problems experienced by the majority of African pupils at Secondary level are constantly in the public eye. The cause of many of these problems lies in the primary schOol system, where English is introduced as the language of learning from Grade 5 onwards. At this stage pupils are expected to learn a large volume of vocabulary to cope with all the subjects in English. This paper offers a framework for analysing language teaching issues and problems. It explores the relationship between education and the language of learning, language ability and cognitive skills, teaching styles, classroom materials and the learning process. Arising out of these investigations are a set of guidelines as to the major factors that affect the readability and comprehensibility of textbooks. The paper ends with a set of guiding principles for a language policy aimed at providing maximum learning opportunities for all children. The ultimate hope is that the suggested approach would in the long help in overcoming some of the century old frustrations and failures and contribute to the improvement and greater effectiveness of language teaching that we all strive to achieve.

This study was conducted for the following two purposes: 1) to create and test a process by which cultural information in English textbooks in Japan can be analyzed, and 2) to examine what and how much information about foreign culture is taught in English classes in Japan. First, a process was developed from Joiner's evaluation form to gauge the cultural content of EFL textbooks. Action was taken to ensure that the process included both qualitative and quantitative steps. Second, the process entailed an analysis of the cultural content of 10 senior high school English textbooks published in Japan. The process was found to be functional and the analysis revealed that the textbooks were inadequate for the purpose of raising students' cultural awareness. The results of this study may be utilized not only for the improvement of textbooks, but also for future studies which might examine junior high school and college English textbooks. / Education, Faculty of / Language and Literacy Education (LLED), Department of / Graduate

This study identified the types of sexist language that appear in ESL textbooks by Thai authors. The study analyzed the ESL textbooks by Thai authors sold at the Chulalongkorn University bookstore during spring 2007. It was a qualitative case analysis of fifteen ESL textbooks covering the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of ESL instruction. The study used feminist criticism to discover what gender roles are sanctioned as appropriate in ESL textbooks by Thai authors and if the language used supports or challenges patriarchy. The results of this study show that sexist language is present in the textbooks and that the textbooks contain content that promotes sexist assumptions concerning gender roles. As a whole, the language and examples used in ESL textbooks by Thai authors support patriarchy.

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The study aims to examine the extent to which considerations of syllabus design and materials development are employed in a grade 9 English textbook of Ethiopia- English for Ethiopia: Secondary English Course: Grade 9 Students Book with particular emphasis on Multiple Intelligence Theory (MIT).The study is an evaluation research which makes use of a mixed method approach. Data were collected using interviews, coding form and a teachers’ questionnaire. The study involved English language syllabus writers in the Ministry of Education in Ethiopia. Furthermore, 50% of the contents of the Grade 9 English Textbook (6 of 12) were used for content analysis. In addition, 218 Grade 9 English teachers from fifty high schools that were drawn from 6 Regional States of the country responded to the questionnaire. In line with this, I collected quantitative data using a coding form and a questionnaire, as well as other forms of qualitative data using interview. Data were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. The study revealed that the syllabus writers used the competency-based approach in developing the Grade 9 English language syllabus. However, this approach has some drawbacks. On the one hand, competency-based education is a manifestation of the behaviouristic approach that is excessively reductionist, narrow, rigid and atomized; many areas in which people need certain competencies are impossible to operationalise; the approach does not clearly show how the list of competencies could be realised, how they should be formatted and presented so as to address learner differences. Above all, describing an activity in terms of a set of different competencies is not enough in order to deal with the complexity of the learning process as a whole. Regardless of these drawbacks, CBL was used to identify and list down the contents as well as the learning outcomes to be incorporated in the textbook. Thus, the how aspect remain obscured in that a theory driven approach to developing teaching/learning materials that meet learners' differences was not markedly taken note of as a guiding framework in developing the Grade 9 English language syllabus. The study showed that the great majority of the language tasks are meant to nurture verbal/linguistic intelligence followed by interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences respectively. As a language textbook, it is good that it gives more coverage to these two intelligence profiles. When it comes to intentional application of principles of task design and materials development, many of the listening, reading and speaking lessons are appropriate in terms of providing comprehensible input, engaging students cognitively and affectively, promoting emotional/affective involvement and facilitating better language use. Similarly, visual imaging is also well taken care of with exception of few of the vocabulary and the grammar lessons. The study also revealed that the syllabus writers were well aware of the need of integrating various language skills, and it was found that the issue of using the integrated approach to ELT materials development was also well addressed and most of the language tasks are designed in an integrated manner with the exception of few of the vocabulary and the grammar lessons. Some drawbacks were also identified with few of the vocabulary and the grammar lessons in terms of providing comprehensible input and enhancing language use. On the other hand, as implementers of the textbook, the target schools’ Grade 9 English language teachers have a good understanding of language learning theories and task design principles. This understanding could help them design supplementary language tasks for their English classes. At last, conclusions are drawn and recommendations are given. / English Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (English)