text and context : identifying the cause and bridging the gap ( the case of secondary third year english textbook , NEW PROSPECTS ,)

Abstract

This study aims at identifying the gap‟s causes between secondary third year English textbook ‘New Prospects’ reading texts and the target learners‟ level and interests. It also investigates the constraints that impede teachers from bridging the gap via adaptation, and attempts to provide possible solutions to overcome the hindrance. Both of ‘New Prospects’ reading texts‟ evaluation and the results of teachers and learners‟ questionnaires reveal a mismatch between the target learners‟ level and the reading texts‟ length and readability. They also unveil an incompatibility between some reading texts‟ topics and the target readers‟ interests and prior knowledge. Additionally, they demonstrate that textbook adaptation is hampered by both administrative and pedagogical constraints. The first chapter reviews literature related to the textbook, textbook evaluation, textbook adaptation and reading. The second chapter is devoted to the evaluation of ‘New Prospects’ reading texts. In chapter three, the results of both teachers and learners‟ questionnaires are analysed. The last chapter includes the adaptation of three reading texts and their accompanying tasks from ‘New Prospects’.