Neoliberalism in ELT textbooks: An analysis of locally developed and imported textbooks used in Malaysia

• Main Authors: Jalalian Daghigh, Ali, Abdul Rahim, Hajar
• Format: Article
• Published: Routledge 2021
• Subjects: P Philology. Linguistics
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/35822/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85084257976&doi=10.1080%2f14681366.2020.1755888&partnerID=40&md5=e1727d90de8957f93587ca038a1e74d0
• Institution: Universiti Malaya

Neoliberal ideologies, evidenced in locally developed and internationally published imported English Language Teaching (ELT) textbooks, are compared in the context of Malaysia, an outer circle country. Historically, locally developed ELT textbooks have been used to teach English but recently imported books have been prescribed following the adoption of the Common European Framework Reference (CEFR). This move has met with criticisms from many who are concerned with the culture and ideologies reproduced in imported texts. The current study addresses this concern through the thematic content analysis of locally developed and imported textbooks used in Malaysian classrooms. It is found that the neoliberal values demonstrated in imported textbooks outweigh those in locally published ones. This necessitates a critical reading of imported ELT textbooks by local educational authorities before they are prescribed for use. This is particularly important in outer- and expanding-circle countries where local cultural values and beliefs may be different from the Western, neoliberal values reproduced in imported materials. © 2020 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.