A descriptive-evaluative study of a Saudi EFL textbook series

This study employs checklists from Williams (1983) and Keban, Muhtar, and Zen (2012) to evaluate the Flying High for Saudi Arabia series, which is currently taught in high schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to ensure it can achieve their pedagogical goals. Different results were obtained from each checklist. Keban et al.’s checklist showed the evaluators to be generally satisfied with the series, despite two shortcomings: the review section and vocabulary list/glossaries, and the inadequate quality of textbook paper and binding materials. Williams’ checklist indicated both strengths and weaknesses. Overall, vocabulary, reading skills, and technical aspects were evaluated positively, while speech, grammar, and writing were evaluated negatively. Thus, Keban et al.’s checklist is designed to evaluate language textbooks broadly, whereas Williams’ checklist offers an in-depth evaluation. The recommendations are intended for the Ministry of Education, the curriculum developers, researchers, and schoolteachers.