Criteria of a Good Textbook
Periodic review and test sections.
Fluency practice in all four skills.
Encourages learners to develop own learning strategies and to become
independent in their learning.
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The next is from Richards. He has eight characteristics of what a good textbook is. The characteristics are as below:
1. It should provide structure and syllabus for a program. 2. It helps standardize instruction.
3. It maintains quality. 4. It is efficient.
5. It provides a variety of learning resources. 6. It provides effective language models and input.
7. It can train teachers. 8. It is visually appealing.
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The third criteria are pointed out by Harmer. He states that, “Good textbooks often contain lively and interesting materials; they provide a sensible
progression of language items, clearly showing what has to be learnt and in some cases summarizing what has been studied...”
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He also adds that, “Good textbooks also relieve the teacher from the pressure of having to think of original material
for every class.”
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The last criteria are argued by Greene and Petty as cited in Tarigan. They argue that good textbooks have certain qualities as bellow:
The textbook must be interested and attractive toward the learners, so they
will be interested in using textbooks.
The textbook must be able to motivate the learners.
The certain of textbook must be illustrative.
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Penny Ur, A Course in Language Teaching: Practice and Theory, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009, p. 186.
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Jack C. Richards, Curriculum Development in Language Teaching, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001, pp. 254-255.
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Jeremy Harmer, The Practice of English Language Teaching. New Edition, New York: Longman Publishing, 1996, p. 257.
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Ibid.
The textbook should consider the linguistic aspect. So, it will be suitable
with the learners’ ability.
The certain of textbook must be related to the other branch of science.
The textbook must stimulate the personal activity of the learners.
The certain of textbook must be clear in written to avoid the children to be confused in using textbook.
The textbook must have the clear point of view because it will be the
learners’ point of view.
The textbook must be able to give the balance and emphasize on the value of the learners.
The textbook must be able to respect to the differences of the individual.
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Referring to the criteria which have been stated by the above experts, it could be claimed that a good passage is included as one of the criteria of a good
textbook. It could be seen from Richards’ statement that a good textbook should provide effective language models and input. A passage could be concluded as
one of language models and input since it exposes to language learners how a language should be presented in written form.