On English Coursebook Evaluation

Coursebook is a major component in the implementation of an English course. To select and adopt suitable coursebook is an important factor contributing to the accomplishment of teaching content and the achievement of teaching objective. This study has conducted a post-use evaluation of Communicative English For Chinese Learners (CECL), an English coursebook series used by Tourism English (TE) major students in Guangxi College of Finance and Economics (GCFE), with the principle aim of examining the extent to which CECL can meet the needs of TE students in GCFE. The evaluation adopted the following steps: First, TE students were interviewed to identify their specific needs. Then Interviews and questionnaires were given to English teachers and TE students to evaluate CECL from the interior and exterior, qualitative and quantitative aspects. The findings are as follows: Generally speaking, CECL can meet the needs of TE students in GCFE. But from the study, some weaknesses of CECL as well as some problems rising in teaching and learning process were also revealed: CECL is ineffective in improving students' social-cultural competence. Students' opportunities are few for real communications in English outside the classroom, etc. At last, suggestions are put forward for the possible materials adaptations and teaching implications based on the significant findings of the survey and some recent theories with regard to Foreign Language Teaching and Foreign Language Acquisition.