An Evaluation of How Grammar is Taught in TheAlgerian Third Year Secondary School Textbook"New prospects"

Abstract

The present study attempts to investigate the way grammar is taught in the Algerian Secondary Schools. Particulary, it is concerned with the effectiveness of third year secondary school textbook " New Prospects" in presenting the grammatical component and the teachers’ perception and views towards grammar teaching. In order to verify the validity of our hypothesis which stated that if third year secondary school textbook "New Prospects" provides sufficient content for grammar understanding, then the textbook would be effective. Textbook evaluation of third year secondary school textbook " New Prospects", a classroom observation of third year secondary school classes and a questionnaire which was administered to secondary school teachers who have taught terminal classes in Jijel were conducted. The evaluation of " New Prospects" demonstrates that the grammatical component is adequately presented in the textbook. This means that the English grammar lessons, examples, excercises are adequately introduced in the textbook. Moreover, the results of the teachers ‘ questionnaire and the classroom observation reveal that the the Algerian secondary school teachers of English are aware of the importance of teaching grammar in English language classes, and that the textbook is effective in presenting grammar to third year secondary school students in Algeria. Furthermore, the results show that secondary school teachers are satisfied with the textbook content in terms of grammar which gave learners the opportunity to use language fluently and accurately in speech and writing