The Necessity of Competence-Driven English Textbooks forVocational and Technical Schools in Iran

Undoubtedly, the close integration of language and the particular context for specific students is of prime importance for adapting and adopting English textbooks. Like other high school English textbooks, The existing textbooks for vocational and technical schools in Iran are academically-oriented with more emphasis on cognitive development and less consideration of students’ needs, abilities, interests, potentials and developmental history. This paper briefly scrutinizes the framework and components of the existing English textbooks in high schools and vocational/ technical schools at the same level or grade and emphasizes the necessity of developing and producing English textbooks in terms of students’ language levels, competence, needs, and the objectives of the program in these schools. If English textbooks are designed and developed well regarding materials and learners’ factors, then vocational /technical curriculum will provide a good basis for learning and teaching. The study has recommendations and implications for improvement of ESP courses considering these students’ needs.