Definition of Textbook Theoretical Description
12 and as a result they lose the control of classroom and awareness to respond and
provide feedback for their students. However, many language teaching experts still believe in the benefits and
importance of the availability of a textbook. The fact that a textbook brings many benefits to the teachers makes a lot of teachers prefer to use a textbook in their
teaching. Skierso 1991 mentions “No teacher is entirely satisfied with the text used, yet very few manage to teach without one” p. 432. There are many
teachers who still decide to use a textbook for its benefits. Facing the pros and cons of using textbook, Graves 2000 states that “the
textbook is a stimulus or instrument for teaching and learning” p. 175. Therefore, a textbook should be a tool that helps the teachers in teaching, and should not be
the teacher itself. The textbook should be used wisely and carefully by the teachers. Crawford 2002 mentions that it is the problem of balance. It means that
the teachers should be aware of both the positive and negative sides of using a textbook.
Additionally, if teachers find that what is written on textbook is inappropriate with what they need, actually they are free to adapt, add or replace it.
Harmer 2007 proposes four steps that can be done if this situation happens. The first step is the omission of the content that is not appropriate. The second step is
replacing the materials of the textbook with teachers’ own materials. The third step is adding the materials in order to extend tasks and practices. The last one is
adapting the materials like rewriting the texts or replacing the vocabularies according to the students’ level.
13 Based on the elaboration above, focusing on the good sides of the textbook,
Harmer 2007 shows that textbook should not be something harmful for teachers. On the other hand, it can be a good partner for the teachers as long as they use it
wisely. “We are using coursebook’s strength but marrying them with our own skills and perceptions of the class in front of us” Harmer, 2007:146.