Course-book Evaluation: World English (Intro) by Martin MILNER

In this paper, I will evaluate a course book titled ‘World English Intro’ which is the initial book of a series composed of four successive books. Initially, the rationale behind the paper will be explained. Secondly, qualities of a good course book will be elaborated. Thirdly, a coursebook titled ‘World English Intro’ will be explained with its supplementary components. Fourthly, target learners and context within which the coursebook will be used. Finally, the paper will be concluded with final discussion on advantages and disadvantages of using the coursebook in question within this context. Although they have long been discussed in the area of Foreign Language Teaching and Learning, they have stood up as ‘reality’ in the field. Publishers have always expanded their capacity to publish coursebooks. The number of publishers has increased in time to cater for the growing market of language teaching. The publishers have varied their publications to appeal to various needs of learners and institutions (Harmer, 2007a; Harmer, 2007b). Today, a coursebook is not a coursebook only. It comes with extensions and supplementary materials such as audio CDs, DVDs, workbooks, on-line supporters, smart board companions, etc. Therefore, when evaluating a coursebook, we should take those into account as well. Deciding on which coursebook to use is not an easy one; decision makers should take a number of criteria into account. Course objectives, learner profile, and institutional goals are only some of them. Before all, options could be short-listed to cater for the aforementioned needs through reviewing coursebooks initially with a ready-made criteria list or with a genuinely created one.