learning package consisting of several parts.”
6
Textbook is a collection of teaching materials that is used as the teaching sources or as a guideline for
teachers in the teaching and learning process. Textbook consists of materials needed both in the course book and in the teaching and learning
gudeline. Additionally, UNESCO in
Kolahi and Shirvani defines “Textbook is the
core learning composed of text andor images designed to bring about a specific set of educational outcome; traditionally a printed and bound book
including illustrations and instructions for facilitating sequences of learning activities.
”
7
As we find textbook that we usually see or use, it is a printed book that consists of materials with instructions andor illustrations that is
designed based on the sequence of learning activities. Textbook is intended to be used as one of learning facilitations and to make a specific educational
outcome.
From those definitions, the writer concludes that textbook is a coherent body consisting of some materials in form of printed text andor
images that is used as an instructional material in the teaching and learning process.
2. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Textbook
The important role of textbooks in the teaching and learning process has caused many writers and publishers to publish a large number of
textbooks, and those published textbooks have now been commercialized because of the high demand. However, since textbook has an important
role in the teaching and learning process, teachers have to pay attention to its advantages and disadvantages in order to provide them the knowledge
of textbooks.
6
Van Els, loc. cit.
7
Sholeh Kolahi and Elaheh Shirvani, A Comparative Study of the Readability of English Textbooks of Translation and Their Persian Translations, International Journal of Linguistics, Vol.
4, No. 4, 2012, p. 346.
There are some advantages and disadvantages of using commercial textbooks in teaching and learning process. Those advantages and
disadvantages depend on how teachers use them and the context for their use.
8
The advantages of commercial textbooks are: a.
They provide structure and a syllabus for a program b.
They help standardize instruction c.
They maintain quality d.
They provide a variety of learning resources e.
They are efficient f.
They can provide effective language models and input g.
They can train teachers h.
They are visually appealing
9
As it is mentioned before, there are also disadvantages of commercial textbooks. They are:
a. They may contain inauthentic language
b. They may distort content
c. They may not reflect students‟ need
d. They can deskill teachers
e. They are expensive
10
In addition, Harmer states that there are obvious advantages of textbook for both teachers and students.
Good textbook often contain lively and interesting material; they provide a sensible progression of language items, clearly showing
what has to be learnt and in some cases summarizing what has been studied so that students can revise grammatical and functional points
that they have been concentrating on. Textbook can be systematic about the amount of vocabulary presented to the student and allow
students to study on their own outside the class. Good textbooks also relieve the teacher from the pressure of having to think of original
material for every class. Indeed there is a greater variety of published material for teaching and learning English than ever before.
11
8
Jack C. Richard, Curriculum Development in Language Teaching, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001, p. 254.
9
Ibid., p. 254-255.
10
Ibid., p. 255-256.
11
Jeremy Harmer, The Practice of English Language Teaching, New York: Longman Publishing, 1991, p. 257.
