Teachers’ and students’ perception of effectiveness of english textbook grade VIII in Public Schools in Pakistan in digital era

Abstract

English language is one of the mostly used languages across the world for communication as well as academic purpose. English subject is taught as compulsory from primary to bachelor level in Pakistan. Textbook is used as a teaching and learning resource for teaching English. Evaluation of textbooks remains a pertinent task in curriculum studies. The present study was aimed at evaluating the grade VIII English textbook used in public sector schools of Punjab (Pakistan). A mixed methods approach was used to seek perceptions of 24 teachers and 240 students about the textbook on specifically designed instruments of interview and close-ended questionnaires, respectively. Thematic analysis for interviews and descriptive analysis for questionnaire were carried out on the data. Keys findings included positive remarks on some of the aspects of the textbooks and few suggestions on improving the textbook on a few aspects regarding making the content interesting through including topics consisting of daily use and creative activities. Study presents results and recommendations for policy makers to incorporate in revised versions of the textbook.