Question- What are the characteristics of a good text book in English? 

Ans.

Characteristics of Good Text-books — According to B.L. Bloom, the appropriate learning experiences are provided with the help of text-books and teaching objectives are also realized. English text-books are very useful for achieving the teaching objectives in the class-room interaction. Text-books are most significant component of effective instructional procedure. It may be better to understand by Bloom’s tripolar process. 

A good text book of English should possess the following characteristics : 

(a) Adequate Language :- The language of text books should be interesting and be presented in the context of students surroundings and social life. The text books for the primary classes should use small, easy and interesting words and the use of difficult words should begin with the rising of the class level. The style of the text books should be extremely interesting and entertaining, blended with all qualities such as brilliance, expansion and sweetness. 

(b) Contents of Text books :- The content of text books should be able to build character of students with the virtues of moral and social abilities. It should be able to satisfy their curiosity. Content of text books should help in the development of their natural inherent tendencies. It should further have following properties : 

— The content of text books should be according to the age, mental level of the students. 

— The described matter should be true and accurate. 

— It should be able to make the students mentally disciplined and promote moral values. 

— It should be related to the students’ environment. 

— Content related to the English environment can be introduced at the later stage. 

West recommended for this in following words : 
“We should introduce the child to topics that deal with the English environment only when he has attained some mastery of the English language. Transition to the new environment should not be sudden but gradual.” 

— The contents of a good text book should be inter-related. There should be a coordination between different chapters. 

— It should be complete in itself and its chapters should have proper sequence. 

(c) Author of the Text-book :- The author of the text book should have sufficient experience of teaching at that particular level. He should be efficient and expert of the subject. A team of authors can also perform the task. 

(d) Up to mark knowledge :- The good text books of English should contain information related to new changes, innovations. 

(e) Objective of Text-book :- The objective of text book is to achieve the objectives of that particular level. So a good text book should follow the objectives of teaching. 

(f) Format of Text-book :- A good text book should consider following points effectively :

— heading and their arrangements 
— font sizes 
— margin 
— points (punctuations) 
— place of pictures. 

If the above points are taken into consideration, then the text books will be of good quality. 

(g) Illustration :- A good English text book should contain illustrations. The illustration should be releveant and correct to the nature of the topic of the lesson. 

— In the Reader of primary classes, 33 to 40% space should be devoted to illustrations. The space should decrease to about 10% in the Reader of higher classes. 

— The illustrations should be attractive and clear, some of them be presented in colours. These should be meaningful. 

(h) Get-up of Text-book :- The book should be attractive by making its title and cover beautiful. Attention should be given to that the cover of the primary classes text books which should be colourful, sharp and smooth and those of higher classes artistic and abstract. The paper of the books should be of suitable and reasonable quality. The binding should be strong. 

The size of text book should also be appropriate. The type size should be bigger for smaller classes and smaller for senior classes. 

(i) Vocabulary :- A good text book in English should be enriched with good vocabulary and the same be carefully selected and graded. List of words may be given at the end of each lesson. These lists can be of considerable help to the teachers in teaching English. 

(j) Organisation of Text-books :- The subject matter of text books should be well-organised. It would enable easy teaching. It should be written in small lessons and includes suitable headings in an easy, effective and interesting way. 

(k) Developing Language Skill :- A good English text book should be such that provides necessary facilities for developing the necessary language skills of speaking, reading and writing in the students. 

(l) Variety :- A good English text book should have variety in topics e.g. prose, poetry, story, narration, conversation, description etc. 

(m) Information of Contents :- The book should have a table of contents in the beginning and bibliography and appendix at the end of the book.

(n) According to Syllabus :- A relevent text book must cover the complete syllabus of that particular level. All parts of the syllabus should be explained thoroughly.

(o) Clues :- A good text book should possess relevent clues for various learning activities.

(p) Methodology :- The text book English should be constructed on the basis of acceptable methods of teaching. New methods strategies, and innovations should take place in a text book.

(q) Arrangement of Matter :- In an effective text book, matter is arranged in well organised way. This arrangement of matter should be psychological and in logical sequence.

(r) Standardisation :- The symbols, definitions, rules, should be used which are accepted at the national and international level.

(s) Scope for Practice :- A good text book should have enough questions for practice and review exercises.

(t) Questions :- The questions given in the textbook of English should be grammatically accurate and relevant to the content.

(u) Test Papers :- In the end of text book, test paper and suggestions for conversation work must be given.

(v) Cost of Book :- The cost of a good text book of English should be appropriate. It must be affordable by the parents of the students.

(w) Reliable and Valid :- The thoughts expressed in the text book should be original, unbiased and clean. The examples and quotations should also be reliable and valid. The novelty and realism of the text books should be proved in reliable term.

(x) Reference Books :- There ought to be different books for teachers which should have innovative methods of teaching. The reference books for students should be readily available.

(y) Teachers Hand-book :- An ideal text book of English should be supplemented by teacher’s hand-book. It will guide the teachers. Teaching of English can be made more effective and useful and the teachers can go a long way in the improvement of linguistic attainment of the students with the help of teacher’s hand-book.

(z) Cultural Content :- A good text book in English should also contain cultural content about the regions of our country. Content concerned with English life may also be there in some lessons, so that the students are apprised of the other countries’ culture.

(i) Revision :- A good text book must be revised from time to time and necessary changes should be made.

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