Attitudes on Skillful 2 and teacher created ancillary material

Abstract

Selecting course materials is a crucial decision for many language departments, as the textbook is often the guide for any course. However, course material selection rarely takes into account students’ wants and needs (Wright, 1990). This study examines both student and teacher attitudes toward a textbook and online platform used for the first time in a first-year English course at a public university in Costa Rica. This study also addresses whether students and teachers consider a supplemental grammar booklet necessary for the course. A questionnaire and interviews were the sources of data collection that assessed specific impressions of the course materials. The results of the research show that perspectives regarding the books, from both students and teachers, are not as positive as one might expect. Preference for a supplemental grammar booklet was shown, but questions remain as to whether this material is truly necessary for the course. Positive attitudes toward some aspects of the new books were present, yet various issues with the material were voiced throughout the entire study. Following a thorough analysis and discussion of results, we provide recommendations that the English department and its professors can consider in response to the main findings of this study.

Keywords

• Textbook evaluation, materials evaluation, EFL, student perspectives, Skillful 2