The Use of Cultural Stereotypes in the Algerian EFL Textbook

Abstract

The use of cultural stereotypes in EFL textbooks is not a new debate. The distortion of content and misrepresentation of the target cultural aspect in textbooks may create and generate overgeneralizations, and oversimplified ideas and thoughts known as stereotypes towards either gender or social groups. The present study is an attempt to investigate the use of cultural stereotypes, in the Algerian English textbook “On the Move” designed for fourthyear middle school, with regard to gender and race issues. It is based on the assumption that the indications of gender and racial stereotyping in EFL textbooks would lead teachers to challenge these stereotypical issues in educational setting. In order to verify this research hypothesis, the data were collected by virtue of the textbook content analysis alongside with a questionnaire which was administered to fourteen (14) fourth year middle school teachers. The findings show that the fourth year EFL textbook contains cultural bias towards gender; the visibility of women in the textbook is restricted to indoor activities, this reflects the authors’ sexist view and stereotypical attitudes towards females. As far as the racial stereotyping issue is concerned, the results attained reveal that racial discrimination among different social groups either, Algerian, British or American is scarce within the textbook. It is concluded that the Algerian course books designers do not focus on the racial aspect as a sensitive issue in society. Therefore, they should take into consideration different perspectives not only a male perspective when introducing topics, moreover, teachers should implement some techniques and strategies (such as interpreting texts and discussing the issues of cultural bias with their learners) to minimize different forms of bias that may be found in textbooks