Evaluation of the Sunrise Coursebook Series by Teachers in the Sulaymaniyah Governorate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Abstract

This study aims to determine whether the Sunrise coursebooks for Grades seven, eight, and nine fulfil the Kurdistan Ministry of Education requirements and examine teachers’ perceptions about different aspects of the coursebook. The research also attempts to reveal potential weaknesses of these textbook levels to help the instructor, superiors, and ministry of education to improve the weaknesses. A questionnaire designed by Litz (2005) was used in the study. The questionnaire examines several elements, such as the practical considerations of layout and design, activities, skills and language type, in addition to subject matter and content. The data of this study was collected from teachers from the Sulaymaniyah Governorate in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq(KRI) who have used or are using the Sunrise coursebook at Grades seven, eight, and nine. The findings of this study revealed that the Sunrise coursebooks are suitable for these three levels and that the teachers were satisfied with the textbooks. The outcome of this study provides useful feedback to teachers who use Sunrise and helps them to know more about the strengths and weaknesses of Sunrise. It helps them to see which element of Sunrise is better than others and which requires their improvement. The outcome of this study also helps Ministry of Education in KRI to improve Sunrise coursebook.