The Hidden Curriculum Of Cultural Content In ELT Textbooks For Senior High Schools In Indonesia

Globalization has influenced English education worldwide,even in nonEnglish speaking countries like Indonesia.It has raised critical questions about the implicit message(hidden curriculum)on English learning materials regarding cultural values inside.This research is intended to explore the hidden curriculum of cultural contents in the English Language Teaching(ELT)textbooks for Senior High Schools in Indonesia,including Bahasa Inggris for Grade Ⅹ,Ⅺ,and Ⅻ.Two research methods,content analysis and the questionnaire,were used.A systematic technique of Content Analysis is employed to find cultural dimensions,cultural types,and intercultural competencies represented in the textbooks.In addition,109 English teachers in the special region of Yogyakarta participated answering the questionnaire of teachers’ perception towards the textbooks.The result of the content analysis shows that the three examined textbooks have covered all dimensions.However,the dimension of the cultural products dominates the learning activities,followed by cultural practices,persons,perspectives,and the last dimension is communities.It can be judged that the surface cultures are represented enough while the deep cultures are not embodied enough in the examined textbooks.Moreover,it is known that the types of source culture and international culture are still much less than that of the target culture in these textbooks.Consequently,it is good to add the frequency of cultural types from students’ cultures worldwide is necessary.Besides,the highest portion of the Intercultural Competencies dimension in the books under study is knowledge of cultures followed by attitudes towards cultures.The last dimension is interpreting and relating cultural elements.On the other hand,the frequencies of activities that invite learners to improve intercultural interactions and also interpret and relate cultural elements are underrepresented.As a result,the textbooks are good to improve knowledge of cultures,but not enough for increasing cultural attitude and skills.Additionally,from the teacher’s perception of a questionnaire,it can be concluded that the textbooks are still few in providing materials related to the intercultural dimension.Based on the research findings of cultural dimensions,cultural types,and intercultural competencies,the hidden curriculum of cultural contents delivered through textbooks is discussed.Although these textbooks are written by Indonesian authors,edited by Indonesians,and published for Indonesian students,they are not free from bias or hidden values concerning cultural contents.The proportions of cultural contents within the textbooks under investigation show what messages are conveyed unconsciously to students.The textbooks represent contents that cover values implicitly.Finally,relevant suggestions are given to develop an appropriate ELT textbook to meet the values of choosing the cultural contents and the real needs of students who must be enriched with intercultural competencies as global citizens.