Evaluating a Textbook’s Efficiency to Enhance Students’ English Proficiency in a Costa Rica’s Rural School

Abstract

This research evaluates the efficiency and suitability of the textbook Play and Learn to enhance the English skills of fourth graders at Finca Seis elementary school in Sarapiquí, province of Heredia. Moreover, this study examines the pedagogical, cognitive and linguistic activities and the relationship that it has between its content and the seven units required by the Ministry of Public Education of Costa Rica. The information was provided by the principal of the school, administrative department, teachers, students, parents, the publisher Publitext and from teachers and students from other primary schools such as El Bambú, IDA Otoya, and Finca Dos. This investigation draws the need to include more pedagogical activities to the textbook, as well as culture activities. It also recommends strengthening listening and speaking skills which will allow students to improve their knowledge of the language. Moreover, there is an interactive virtual software proposal on developing not only 2 skills of the target language but also the 4 English skills. This software summarizes each of the 7 units recommended by the Ministry of Public Education; further, this complementary material was done for the students to practice English with more tasks.

Keywords

• textbook
• textbook evaluation
• material evaluation
• evaluation
• authentic materials
• materials