Grammar in English as a Foreign Language Workbooks : A Mixed Methods Analysis of Grammar Tasks in Year 8 Workbooks published in Sweden

Abstract: This study investigates how grammar is presented in some commonly used EFL workbooks aimed at teachers teaching year 8 students in Swedish comprehensive school. Six workbooks are examined: the Awesome 8 Activity Book, the Good Stuff Gold C Workbook Year 8, the Wings 8 Workbook, the Happy Year 8 Workbook, and the Sparks 8 Workbook.Using a mixed methods approach, this study examines what types of grammar tasks are found in the workbooks, how grammar rules are presented, and what language (English or Swedish) is used to give explanations and instructions. Workbooks are a commonly used resource for foreign language teaching. A special focus is laid on how far the approach to teaching grammar suggested by the workbooks is compatible with the requirements of the Swedish curriculum (Lgr 11) and the Swedish national syllabus.This study is important as it provides useful insight into how grammar is treated in commonly used workbooks, and as it can provide some guidance to teachers as to how they can adapt the grammar tasks proposed by the workbooks.