Cultural Content in High School English Textbooks in China: Analysis of Types, Themes, and Students’ Attitudes

This study investigates the types and themes of cultural content in the most recent high school English textbooks published by People's Education Press (PEP) in China, alongside high school students' attitudes towards this cultural content. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research analyzed the cultural content within these textbooks and gathered insights from 200 high school students using surveys and semi-structured interviews. The results indicate a predominant emphasis on the source language culture within the textbooks, with significant representation of target language culture and content of international culture. Students generally exhibit a positive attitude towards the cultural content, particularly towards the source language culture. Additionally, students show a higher interest in small 'C' cultural content closely related to daily life, such as food and customs. This study underscore the importance of integrating cultural content in English language education, contributing significantly to the enhancement of students' cultural understanding and their active engagement in a global context.