Teaching compliments and compliment responses: An evaluation of Indonesian English Language Teaching (ELT) textbooks

• Published in: Asian EFL journal (Busan) Vol. 24; no. 4; p. 51
• Main Authors: Waliyadin, Petraki, Eleni
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Busan Time Taylor Publishing 01.07.2020
• Subjects: Communicative language teaching; Compliments; English as a second language instruction; English as an international language; Language textbooks; Pragmatics; Sociolinguistics; Teaching; Textbooks; Indonesia

Undoubtedly, textbooks in an English as Foreign Language (EFL) context are still utilised as primary resources for language teaching and this is the current practice in the Indonesian context. However, there is limited systematic evaluation of the appropriateness of ELT textbook materials in developing pragmatic competence. In the era of communicative language teaching and English as a lingua franca, pragmatic competence is a necessary skill for EFL learners which enables them to interact effectively as global citizens. The present study aimed to investigate the extent to which there is sufficient and appropriate pragmatic input and practice opportunities for students on giving compliments and compliment responses in three Indonesian ELT textbooks. To this end, three Indonesian ELT textbooks were evaluated based on four criteria deriving from current research on compliments and compliment responses (CRs). The evaluation revealed that the textbooks provide limited linguistic structures of compliment making and responding. They also lacked sociopragmatic explanation on the factors affecting compliment making and receiving. The study offers pedagogical recommendations for teachers, textbook writers and students to assist the students' development of pragmatic competence.