Integrating Culture into FL Textbooks: The Case of Iranian High School English Textbooks

Many scholars today believe that culture and language are inseparable and culture learning must be an integral part of language learning. Thus, the present article is to give an account of the important place that culture holds in foreign and second language education. Further, it investigates the way culture is dealt with in ELT in Iran in general and the place of culture in ELT textbooks at the high school level in particular. Throughout the study, this issue was examined with reference to the relevant theoretical background, and the content analysis results of previous textbook evaluation studies carried out in the Iranian context. The research findings make it clear that the current ELT textbooks in Iran appear to be short of the goal of broadening students’ cultural understanding. Hence, changes should be made in the textbooks if students are to be prepared to communicate in the multicultural world of English. Finally, some practical suggestions concerning integrating culture into second language curriculum will be presented. Findings of this study may offer insights for those involved in educational administration, syllabus design, curriculum planning, and materials development.