Hidden Ideologies within Imported Language Teaching Series: This time the case of Four Corners and Impact Values Series

Subject Areas :

Hossein Banihashemi ¹ , Marjan Vosoughi ²

1 - English Department, Sabzevar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sabzevar, Iran
2 - English Department, Sabzevar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sabzevar, Iran

Received: 2019-07-23 Accepted : 2019-09-05 Published : 2020-09-01

Keywords: ELT materials, Four Corners, Cultural invasion, hidden ideology, Impact Values,

Abstract :

Extracting incompatible values in the best-sellers current in ELT markets is a real concern. In this study, the researchers tried to bring some claims/counterclaims for hidden ideologies regarding two imported English language teaching coursebooks-Four Corners and Impact Values Series, which are commonly taught within Iranian English language institutes. The main intention was that they might transmit incompatible English culture to the Iranian learners. Through a qualitative design, vigorous content analysis was conducted over diverse randomly selected texts/topics and images in the two books, it was found out that regarding images, four themes instantiated incongruent values to the local context for Iranian learners including A) boy-girl relationship, B) imbalance of religious norms as opposed to other religions, C) incongruent lifestyles, and D) the proportion of the male vs. female images in the two books. As to topics included in the books, mismatching items were detected within seven main categories including A) Cross-gender relationship, B) disregarding the importance of family, C) excessive Use of Internet, D) Mobile Phones, and Computers, E) food and drink prohibitions, F0 forbidden or inappropriate habits,G) incompatible jobs and professions, and H) showing disrespect for older people. Finally, some suggestions regarding compatibility issues with local cultural input enrichment with the Iranian culture were given.