A critical textbook analysis: a case of Four Corners series

Teaching materials are considered as an important part in most language programs Richards 2001 For teachers textbooks or course books either obligatory or additional supply content and teaching learning activities which prepare much of what occurs in the classroom CelceMurcia 2001 Moreover Wright cited in Lee 2003 p 165 declares that teaching materials eg textbooks help to describe the purpose of the syllabus and the performances of teachers and learners within the instructional development In EFL courses the selection and use of a textbook or course book are the vital matters In this regard it is necessary for teachers to be able to make knowledgeable judgments about the textbooks and other related teaching materials Richards 2001 Lee 2003 In other words the selection and use of the textbook both obligatory and additional depends on its analysis or evaluation.Language materials design and development consider these factors such as teachers learners language use and function tasks designs content and adoption therefore the teaching learning activities are successfully administrated This paper made an evaluation of one of the English course books Four Corners 1 which aimed at improving EFL and ESL learners Four Corners is adopted for use of English classes in Iran This article presents a brief overview of this textbook and its accompanying materials