An Overall Evaluation On "Integrated Skills Of English" (Ⅴ-Ⅵ)

Textbooks are the main source of language input in English language teaching in a foreign context. Thus, textbook evaluation is a significant step to ensure teaching quality and make improvements. Compared to numerous versions of college English textbooks for non-English majors, those for English major students, especially at the advanced level, are relatively rare and outdated. Integrated Skills of English (5-6) are one of the few newly published advanced English textbooks, which are currently used in some universities on trial. This paper tries to investigate the pedagogical value of ISE5-6 and the effectiveness of the acclaimed inquiry based learning model for senior English majors.The research attempts to link all the factors pertaining to foreign language teaching together, namely, the textbook designer, the teacher, the teaching method, and the students. With the aid of evaluation questionnaires and interviews, the thesis evaluated ISE5-6 from the aspects of layout and organization, language materials, presentation of language skills and content, activities and methodology.The results of the questionnaires and interviews reveal that, ISE5-6 satisfyingly meet both linguistic and cognitive needs of senior English majors in that: 1) ISE5-6 present substantial language input, which is authentic, culture-specific and diversified; 2) in terms of language skills, the books provide reasonable treatment of language skills though more attention is given to reading and writing; 3) ISE5-6 embody inquiry based learning model, bringing along effective language learning outcomes from the students. Some implications are also given on the basis of the conclusions in evaluating the chosen volumes, which are expected to shed some light on further selection, evaluation and adaptation of textbooks for senior English majors and make some contributions to the use of this textbook in real classroom context.In writing this thesis, the author hopes to raise the awareness of instructors and researchers of the important role of textbook evaluation for senior English majors as well as the reformation of the teaching and learning mode.