Analysis of English Textbooks Used in Taiwan: A Perspective of English as a Lingua Franca

Abstract

This study examines English textbooks used in Taiwanese junior high schools (Grades 7 to 9) from the perspective of English as a lingua franca (ELF) and with regard to the national English curriculum. In this study, English textbooks that are currently used in junior high schools in Taiwan were examined based on an analysis framework featuring ELF attributes. These ELF attributes were proposed and enumerated in light of previous studies on the analysis of English textbooks and the national English curriculum. This study revealed that the examined textbooks partially reflected an ELF perspective with the manifestation of the ELF attributes to a different extent. Moreover, it demonstrated that the ELF-oriented content was displayed in various forms of activities and exercises (e.g., listening, reading, writing, and discussion) and that the subject matter of the units covered a wide range of topics. In light of the research results, the author provides suggestions for the design of ELF-oriented textbooks at the junior high school level, such as promoting learners’ awareness of ELF, encouraging the development of intercultural communication strategies in learners, considering learners’ experiences in the learning of English, and entailing meaningful learning of English for learners.