Understanding the Role of the Textbook and Teaching Quality in Arousing Interest to Pursue Studies at Higher Levels: The Perceptions of Iranian EFL Students
Subject Areas : Journal of Teaching English Language Studies
Yeganeh Hozori
1
,
Mohammad Iman Askari
2
1 -
2 -
Keywords: EFL Students, Higher Education, Textbook, Teaching, Quality,
Abstract :
This study explores the extent to which textbook quality and teaching effectiveness motivate Iranian EFL students to pursue studies at Higher Education (HE) in translation. To achieve this goal, Litz’s (2005) book evaluation checklist and Frick’s (2009) Teaching and Learning Quality (TALQ) were used as the needed tools for collecting quantitative and qualitative data from a sample of 100 students in three universities in Iran. For the most part, students viewed the textbook favorably with regard to its arrangement and pragmatic aspects, but were more ambivalent regarding the content and accompanying activities. Well-designed teaching materials can enhance students’ learning and problem-solving skills and, therefore, also help to increase their motivation to pursue higher level study. At the same time, however, the study also highlighted the need for better alignment between academic tasks and students’ learning needs. The finding s of the current study is beneficial for the H.E. stake holders to further adapt the academic programs according to the students’ needs and objectives. Meanwhile, through the overall evaluation of the text books from the students and teachers’ perspectives, it is possible to enhance the quality of the programs according to the needed objectives.
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