A Comparative Study of Primary School English Textvooks between China and Korea

This study mainly aims at making comparison of primary English textbooks between China and Korea. The books entitled “New Primary English for China” and “Elementary School English” are chosen from a variety of textbooks in China and Korea respectively. ‘New Primary English for China’ is published by the Chinese People's Education Publisher, on behalf of the main teaching direction, teaching methods and teaching content of contemporary Chinese elementary English education. ‘Elementary School English’, which also represents the main teaching characteristics, teaching philosophy and teaching strategies of the primary English education in Korea, is published by the Korean Education Science and Technology Ministry. This study investigates into current situation of primary English education and textbooks of China and Korea and reports current situation of primary English textbooks respectively. In this research, a conclusion can be drawn that the number of new words, themes, chants, songs, and games in the English textbooks of China is more than that of Korea. And especially, this study offers some insights that the Korean English textbooks should deal with more western cultures because the process of learning English can be a part of learning different cultures.