Grammatical Accuracy and Authenticity in EFL Textbook Dialogues

This study investigates the accuracy and authenticity of grammatical structures presented in EFL textbooks, with attention to whether or not language input is grammatically accurate and reflects native speakers’ actual language use. For this purpose, a total of 15 textbooks were analyzed focusing on model dialogues. The results reveal some significant shortcomings in the presentation of grammar in the textbooks, showing that there are a wide array of grammatical problems in terms of accuracy and authenticity: noun phrases (nouns, pronouns, and articles), verb phrases (verb choice, tenses, moods, and modals), adjectival and adverbial phrases, prepositional phrases, and conjunctions. The misrepresentation of the grammatical items occurs in different types such as omission, addition, and misuse. The results also reveal that, while some language structures involve grammatical inaccuracy, others present a paucity of authenticity even when they are grammatically accurate. On the basis of these findings, a checklist for grammatical accuracy and authenticity is proposed so that it can facilitate the adaptation of the grammatical structures in the textbooks. The results provide some important insights into how the current instructional materials can be improved and further developed.