Representational Repertoires 2: The New Cambridge English Course 2 and The New Edition New Headway Intermediate

Abstract

The New Cambridge English Course 2 (Swan and Walter 1990a) (hereafter Cambridge English 2) is the second in a four-book course. Unlike the other coursebooks analyzed here, the title does not revolve around a single unifying metaphor but relies instead on the connotative power of the word ‘Cambridge’ to establish its identity. This is made salient on the front and back cover of each book through capitalization of the entire word and the use of larger font than that used for all other words in the title or in the blurb. Through association with the name of a prestigious university and a set of globally recognized English language examinations (e.g. Cambridge First Certificate) and English language teaching qualifications (e.g. Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults), the title may be said to suggest a high level of symbolic educational value. A similar conclusion is reached by Littlejohn (1992), who noted that coursebooks produced by publishing houses other than Cambridge University Press to prepare students for the Cambridge First Certificate examination often featured the word ‘Cambridge’ more saliently on the cover than the name of the actual publisher.