The Role of the Coursebook in Language Learning
According to the British Council (2019), what percentage of teachers rely on coursebooks as their primary classroom resource?
Over 80% of English language teachers worldwide.
What percentage of teachers believe coursebooks often include unsuitable activities, according to Tomlinson (2018)?
Around 60% of teachers.
What does autonomy mean according to Holec (1981)?
Learners take responsibility for their own learning.
How long is the typical publishing cycle for coursebooks?
2–3 years.
What stereotype appeared in older editions of Interchange from the 1990s?
Businessmen and secretaries, but rarely female leaders.
What does a coursebook provide besides texts and exercises?
A clear structure, gradual progression, and balance across the four main skills.
What can be done if a reading text is too long for beginners?
Shorten the text, highlight keywords, or pre-teach essential vocabulary.
What tools do modern coursebooks integrate for independent study?
Self-check tests and online companion platforms.
What kind of authentic materials can teachers integrate with coursebook topics?
Newspaper articles, videos, podcasts, or social media posts.
What activity can make coursebook texts more meaningful for students?
Rewriting them to describe their own city or culture.
How can dialogues in the coursebook be transformed?
Into role-plays, simulations, or mini-dramas.
What happened when a reading passage on environmental issues was adapted into a debate?
Students produced more than double the speaking output.
What system is included in Cambridge English Empower?
A Learning Management System (LMS) that tracks students’ progress.
What example is given when teaching a unit on travel?
Watching a short YouTube documentary about Venice and comparing it with a reading on Paris.
According to McGrath (2013), how much more likely are students to recall information from personal context texts?
Twice as likely.
What improvement did Richards (2017) find when students used adapted tasks?
Students scored 15% higher in follow-up assessments.
What did Karimov (2020) discover about localizing coursebook activities in Uzbekistan?
Students engaged 30% more actively.
How much higher was vocabulary retention when students used self-study for 30 minutes per week?
20% higher vocabulary retention.
In Özdemir’s 2022 study, how much higher did students score in listening comprehension with authentic videos?
25% higher.
In the 2021 survey, what percentage of teachers regularly supplement coursebooks with digital resources?
70%.
Who benefits from the coursebook framework?
Both teachers and students.
What does adaptation ensure for the coursebook?
That it remains a flexible resource, not a rigid script.
How can vocabulary lists be expanded?
By asking students to add three personal examples per word.
What kind of competence is developed when learners combine coursebook activities with authentic input?
Greater pragmatic competence.
What kinds of digital resources are mentioned as supplements?
TED Talks or Instagram reels.