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Article published In: English Text Construction
Vol. 12:1 (2019) ► pp.59–83

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What is ‘global’ in an ELT global coursebook?

A linguistic analysis of the New Headway Upper‑Intermediate Student’s Book

 | University of Liège
Published online: 27 May 2019
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https://doi.org/10.1075/etc.00018.ger
Abstract
The adjective ‘global’ has become a buzzword in recent years, not least in academia. Within the area of English Language Teaching (ELT) in particular, ‘global coursebooks’ have aroused a great deal of interest, but also much suspicion, as their content turns out not to be as universal as the adjective ‘global’ might literally mean. In this paper, I investigate the 2014 New Headway Upper-Intermediate Student’s Book and bring to light some of the ideological constructions underpinning this supposedly global course material. As a result of this analysis, I provide an expanded characterisation of the ELT global textbook, regarding it as a course built upon standard language ideologies rather than, as suggested by previous studies, as an artefact shaped by a predominantly neoliberal agenda.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The global textbook in ELT research
    • 2.1Elements of definition
    • 2.2The global coursebook in John Gray’s words: Deterritorialisation, inclusivity, neoliberalism
  • 3.A qualitative linguistic analysis of NH UI SB
    • 3.1The linguistic segment as an under-researched constituent of ELT global textbooks
    • 3.2Delving into the phonology of NH UI SB
    • 3.3Unveiling assumptions in NH UI SB imparted by grammatical prescriptivism
    • 3.4Sorting over-lexicalised words: Work, education, money, leisure activities, cars
    • 3.5Aspirational content serving standard language ideologies
  • 4.What is then ‘global’ in NH UI SB?
    • 4.1Discussion of findings
    • 4.2Further comments: Multiculturalism and deterritorialisation
  • 5.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
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