An Investigation On The Use Of Textbooks By High School English Teachers

Textbook is a main tool for teachers to implement the curriculum concept and ensures the teaching effect.The study of textbooks has been paid attention by scholars at home and abroad.In recent years,textbooks have been revised many times and the quality of textbooks has been constantly improved.Teachers are more serious and responsible in the teaching process.The use of textbook has been the main issue in the study of textbooks.This study investigates teachers' use of textbooks hoping to help teachers find problems in teaching and improve the teaching effect by exploring the actual situation of teachers' use of textbooks.Through the analyses of relevant researches on the use of textbooks at home and abroad,it can be found that the researches focus on the relationship between “teacher-textbook” to discuss the use of textbooks,mainly discussing the factors influencing the use of textbooks,the way teachers use textbooks and the research frameworks of textbook use.However,textbooks are textual materials for teaching.Only when textbooks interact with teachers and students in specific teaching practices can they help students improve their English ability.Based on usage models of textbooks and the theory of teaching reflection,this study designs three questions :(1)How do high-school English teachers use textbooks before class?(2)How do high-school English teachers use textbooks in teaching?(3)After class,whether high-school English teachers have reflected on the effects of using textbooks,what kinds of reflection? In this study,the textbook is the PEP edition of English textbook for high-school.And 102 English teachers from4 senior middle schools in Shandong province were investigated through questionnaire survey,and 4 teachers were selected for classroom observation and interview.First,it is found that high-school English teachers generally agree that textbooks can promote students to learn English language knowledge and skills.Second,on the basis of understanding textbook arrangement and basic contents,teachers integrate textbook contents by supplementing grammar knowledge and life knowledge,organizing student-centered activities,and carrying out teaching activities designed in textbooks.Finally,they can reflect on the use of textbooks from the perspective of students' needs.In general,teachers believe that the textbook content is suitable for students,and organize the activities with textbook design steps in teaching.It can be found that teachers take textbooks as the center,rely on textbooks,lack the consciousness of curriculum development,and lack the consciousness of criticizing the content of textbooks.And teachers neglect the teaching of cultural background knowledge in textbooks.In order to enable teachers to make use of textbooks better,this study puts forward some suggestions: changing teachers' concept of textbooks,and cultivating teachers' awareness ofcurriculum development;Encouraging teachers to use textbooks critically;Inspiring teachers to develop cultural background knowledge in using textbooks.