Since the textbook is a central teaching and learning aid, this work will examine a part of the tasks and exercises of two books. Referring to this, textbook research is a relevant field of study, because a critical look at current teaching material is always needed to ensure that it is appropriate for pupils as well as it is of good quality considering the achievement of educational goals. To give exemplary research findings, the analysis will focus on textbooks of class eight at Hauptschule (Blue Line 4) and Realschule (Red Line 4) in Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany published by Klett, whereupon in each case the recent version of the year 2017 was chosen. To narrow down the research project furthermore, the work will zoom in on the first unit of the books, which is “Gateway NYC”. The main topic of this bachelor´s thesis will therefore be: “Do tasks and exercises in English Foreign Language textbooks promote Intercultural Competence? - An exemplary analysis based on the topic New York”. The intention of the work on hand is to evaluate the quality of tasks and exercises for the promotion of Intercultural Competence.
To answer the main question of this thesis, the work has been divided into two parts. The first one summarises the most important information and theses on the topic. The second one examines the available textbook material in detail by means of an empirical method. In the theoretical chapter, Intercultural Competence with respect to its definition, importance and establishment in didactics will be explained. Thereupon, the relevance of tasks and exercises in class will be discussed and four quality features of assignments promoting Intercultural Competence will be chosen, which will allow an evaluation of these. In the following, the tasks from the Blue Line 4 and Red Line 4 schoolbooks will be analysed. After investigating the tasks´ quality individually, the findings will be comprehended and discussed. In the conclusion, the fundamental research findings will finally be recapped and the question of the bachelor´s thesis will be answered.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Theoretical background
- Intercultural Competence in the EFL classroom
- Definition
- Purpose of the Intercultural Competence as an educational goal
- Tasks and Exercises in the EFL classroom
- Definition and function
- Quality features of tasks and exercises in terms of promoting Intercultural Competence
- Empirical study
- Methodology
- Blue Line 4 (Hauptschule)
- Red Line 4 (Realschule)
- Findings
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of tasks and exercises in English Foreign Language textbooks in promoting Intercultural Competence. The study focuses on two textbooks used in eighth grade at Hauptschule and Realschule in Northrhine-Westphalia, Germany, specifically analyzing the unit "Gateway NYC".
- The definition and importance of Intercultural Competence in EFL classrooms
- The role of tasks and exercises in promoting Intercultural Competence
- The quality features of tasks and exercises that contribute to Intercultural Competence development
- An empirical analysis of tasks and exercises from two English Foreign Language textbooks
- An evaluation of the effectiveness of these textbooks in promoting Intercultural Competence
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introductory chapter sets the context for the study by discussing the growing importance of Intercultural Competence in today's globalized world. It highlights the role of English Foreign Language textbooks in promoting this competence and outlines the study's objectives, methodology, and scope.
The theoretical background chapter provides a comprehensive discussion of Intercultural Competence, defining its components, exploring its purpose as an educational goal, and examining its relevance in EFL classrooms. It further delves into the significance of tasks and exercises, outlining their functions and highlighting key quality features that contribute to the development of Intercultural Competence.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This study focuses on Intercultural Competence, English Foreign Language textbooks, tasks and exercises, quality features, empirical analysis, and the promotion of Intercultural Competence in EFL classrooms. It examines the effectiveness of two textbooks in promoting Intercultural Competence, drawing on a specific case study centered on the topic of New York City.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2020, Do tasks and exercises in English Foreign Language textbooks promote Intercultural Competence? An empirical study, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1321836
