Cultural Representation in Swedish EFL Textbooks

Abstract: As our world becomes increasingly globalized, the value of understanding cultural diversity is perhaps more relevant than ever. Furthermore, since English plays an important role in the encounters between members of different cultural contexts, analysis of EFL teaching materials is a matter of importance. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of how two Swedish EFL textbooks represent cultural diversity. To achieve this, it aims to answer the following research question: To what extent do the textbooks represent cultural diversity within the framework of English as an international language? To answer the research question, this study uses critical discourse analysis as a method for the evaluation. The results indicate that the textbooks show some tendencies of acknowledging the international status of English by including texts from different countries and cultural settings. However, both books still favor representations of Anglophonic countries. Finally, the results suggest that it is important for teachers who use these books to promote critical reflection of how cultures are portrayed.