Cultural load in English language textbooks: An analysis of interchange series

This research set out to investigate cultural density in the internationally-distributed textbooks (IDTs) of the English Language, i.e., Interchange Series (Int. hereinafter). To this end, a model of cultural patterns was formulated to analyze the contents of Int. The analysis showed that value as one component comprised ‘entertainment, liberal, consumerism, and inculcation of Western values’. Norm as another component encompassed ‘girlfriend-boyfriend relationship, opposite sex contact or dating, pet-keeping, and club-dancing’. The next category, i.e., institution involved ‘entertainment, commercial, sports, educational, and conventional institutions’. The ten sub-components of cultural artifact included ‘occupation, clothes, name, music, sport, art, celebrity, food, instrument, and education. Overall, the results indicate that textbooks are artifacts which are strongly grounded in cultural assumptions and biases.