Chapter I. General characteristics of Textbooks in teaching fl

Books for Reference or Consultation. These are texts containing a body of information in a certain field for the purposes of reference or consultation as and when needed. Neither their organisation, nor structure is specifically applicable to the learning process.
The roles of textbooks
From the instructional standpoint, the textbook has three main roles:
An information role, implying:
- presentation of a selection of items of knowledge about a specific subject and on a specific theme, taking into account that the acquisition of knowledge should be progressive and sequenced according to succeeding years of scholarity and bearing in mind that curricula must not be overloaded;
- filtering of items of information in order to synthesize them, sometimes simplify them and render them accessible and clear for pupils at the level concerned.
The textbook offers information and knowledge, but often within a certain ideological perspective: the relative importance of science and technology; a conception of history; established linguistic norms. The way it is conceived can determine what information is contained in a textbook and make it seem unsuitable in certain historical situations or for certain socio-economic or cultural objectives defined by development policy.
A role of structuring and organizing learning
The textbook suggests a progression in the learning process organized in successive blocks of teaching units. It offers several possibilities for the organization of learning:
- from practical experience to theory;
- from theory to practical exercises with assessment of what has been learned;
- from practical exercises to theoretical elaboration;
- from statements to examples and illustration;
- from examples and illustrations to observation and analysis.
A role of guiding learning
To guide the pupil in his perception and comprehension of the outside world, in putting together knowledge acquired from sources other than the curriculum, in mastering what he has learned. There are two alternatives, either of which can be used to guide the learning process:
- repetition, memorisation, copying models;
- more open and creative activities where the pupil can make use of his own experiences and observations.
According to the subject, progress can be:
- more constraining for subjects like mathematics, science, reading, foreign languages:
- less constraining for literary texts, geography, history (chronological order).
According to its pedagogical conception, and depending upon the learning objectives, the textbook can comply with:
- a more "interventionist" instruction for the transmission of knowledge; this highlights the constraining influence of the textbook on teaching and learning;
- a more open instruction, facilitating the pupil's development of aptitudes for observation, reflection and a certain autonomy in his learning activities. For this type of instruction the teacher will need good professional training.
The textbook often expresses a specific perception of communication and child-adult and pupil-teacher relationships.
Digital technologies like computers, smartphones and the internet have changed modern society in the 21st century considerably. Especially for children, teenagers, young adults, the use of digital devices connected to the internet is a defining feature of their lives. The internet has become the number one source for gathering or looking up information. Nevertheless, the reality in schools is still different. In contrast to the reality outside of school, textbooks, especially in the context of teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), are still the most important medium for language learning purposes in the English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom today
The use of textbook in the EFL classroom play a very crucial role for both teachers and students as textbook is the main source to learn English, the use of textbook cannot be denied because it provides a resource, a source of activities, a reference, a syllabus, a great support for inexperienced teachers, and serve as a source for self-directed learning or self-access work. Even though textbook has many advantages, still some theorist believe that textbook has more shortcomings that affects the teaching and learning English. The pros and cons on the use of ELT textbook have lead confusion for the teachers in making decision. This paper has a purpose to meticulously review the advantages and disadvantages on the use of textbook in the ELT, the pros and the cons among the experts, and provide suggestions for the teachers in using the textbook for their teaching and learning.
Textbooks play a pivotal role in language classrooms in all types of educational institutions – public schools, colleges, and language schools all over the world. In some contexts, teachers are free to choose their own textbooks. The vast majority of teachers, however, have textbooks suggested, prescribed, or assigned to them. Textbooks play a very crucial role in the realm of language teaching and learning and are considered the next important factor in the second/foreign language classroom after the teacher.” The textbook is a tool in the hands of the teacher, and the teacher must know how to use it, and how useful it can be for everyone. The wealth of published materials for English language teaching (ELT) available in the market makes selecting the right course book a challenging task. Moreover, the selection of a particular core textbook signals an executive educational decision in which there is considerable professional, financial, and even political investment. Textbooks are a key component in most language programs. In some situations they serve as the basis for much of the language input learners receive and the language practice that occurs in the classroom. They may provide the basis for the content of the lessons, the balance of skills taught and the kinds of language practice the students take part in. In other situations, the textbook may serve primarily to supplement the teacher’s instruction. For learners, the textbook may provide the major source of contact they have with the language apart from input provided by the teacher. In the case of inexperienced teachers textbooks may also serve as a form of teacher training they provide ideas on how to plan and teach lessons as well as formats that teachers can use. Much of the language teaching that occurs throughout the world today could not take place without the extensive use of commercial textbooks. Learning how to use and adapt textbooks is hence an important part of a teacher’s professional knowledge.
Hutchinson and Torres identify four ways in which textbooks can help in times of educational change: first as “a vehicle for teacher and learner training”; second because they provide “support and relief” from the burden of looking for materials; third by providing “as complete a picture as possible” of “what the change will look like”; and fourth through the psychological support they give to teachers. However, fulfillment of these goals, especially the first and the third, depends on the approach and quality of the textbook. The materials may not be in tune with the new kind of teaching being encouraged, following instead the methodology already commonly being practiced; alternatively, the materials may be so difficult to use that teachers are unable to follow them as intended, making them revert to their previous practice. In either case, rather than agents of change, books will be “agents of conservatism,” reducing the likelihood of teachers trying out new, alternative approaches and methods. So it has great impact at all level of programmes , from policy matter and administrators to teacher and students all rely heavily on textbook to achieve prescribed goals and objectives. The textbook determines the components’ and method of learning. It controls the contents, the method and the procedures of learning.  Students learn what is presented in the textbook, in other words the way the textbook presents materials is the way the students learn it.
In fact the educational philosophy of the textbook influences the class and the learning process. It provides neat and clean platform for it users. Teachers get good readymade activities which provides concrete sample of classroom progress. Sheldon in 1980 identified the reason why the teacher uses textbook. These are as follows:

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  Developing their own classroom material is an extremely difficult process for teachers.
  
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  They have limited time so to develop new material is difficult due to the nature of their profession.
  
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  Extreme pressures restrict many teachers: so using text book is one of the most efficient ways of teaching.