EFL Textbooks and Workbooks in Swedish Middle School : Teachers Attitudes toward EFL Learning Materials Advantages and Disadvantages in Relation to Oral Skills and Social Interaction

Abstract: The aim of this study is to examine the use of EFL learning materials, such as pre-constructed textbooks, workbooks and teachers guides, in a small group of teachers. The study set out to investigate how and in that case, why the teachers use the material and in addition their attitudes towards the materials advantages and disadvantages. Also, the study aimed to illustrate to what extent the teachers considered the material beneficial in terms of developing students' social interaction and oral skills in English. Finally, the study investigated if any additional activities were used by the EFL teachers. Data was collected through qualitative interviews conducted with eight certified English teachers that currently worked in Swedish middle school, years 4-6. The results showed a variety of usage where some teachers used learning materials a few times during a school year while others implemented the material practically every lesson. The teachers considered the most prominent advantage to be that the pre-constructed materials not only eased their workload by being timesaving but also served as a basis for their teaching. Furthermore, the teachers differed greatly in their opinions as to what the materials disadvantages were and also to what extent the material was regarded as beneficial in terms of enhancing students social interaction and developing oral skills. Finally, there appeared to be a conflict between the teachers’ didactical ambitions and their actual teaching.