1. Unit 18 Evaluating and Adapting Textbooks

2. Aims of the Unit
- to understand the purpose for teacher’s evaluating and adapting textbooks;
- to learn the methods for evaluating textbooks;
- to get to know the methods for selecting textbooks;
to get to know the methods for adapting textbooks.

3. I. What is Textbook Evaluation?
The core of systematic textbook evaluation is to examine how well a given textbook matches the needs of a language programme and how effectively and efficiently it can realise the objectives of the programme.

4. II. Features of Good Textbooks
Good textbooks should attract the students’ curiosity, interest and attention.
Textbooks should help students to feel at ease.
Textbooks should help students to develop confidence.
Textbooks should meet students’ needs.
Textbooks should expose the students to language in authentic use.

5. Textbooks should provide the students with opportunities to use the target language to achieve communicative purposes.
Textbooks should take into account that the positive effects of language teaching are usually delayed.
Textbooks should take into account that students differ in learning styles.
Textbooks should take into account that students differ in affective factors.
Textbooks should maximise learning potential by encouraging intellectual, aesthetic and emotional involvement which stimulates both right and left brain activities.

6. III. How to Select Textbooks
A Three-part questionnaire designed by Grant (1987)
Does the book suit your students?
Does the book suit the teacher?
Does the book suit the syllabus and examination?

7. IV. Adapting Textbooks Omission Addition Reduction Extension
Rewriting/modification
Replacement
Re-ordering
Branching