Multimodal Representations of the Ideal Neoliberal Citizen in Colombian ELT (English Language Teaching) Textbooks

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: From Curriculum Textbooks to Morning Circles: Research on English Language Teaching Across the Globe (Table 41)

Abstract

Textbooks are extremely common English language teaching (ELT) materials, which generate considerable profits for publishing companies. The focus of this study is Colombia’s newly nationally-adopted English program, Programa Nacional de Bilinguismo, and its subsequently developed three-part Way to go! textbook series. As such, this qualitative study analyzed multimodal representations to explore what ideological agendas are promoted through the conception, design, dissemination, and use of ELT textbooks in Colombia. Findings indicate that neoliberal values abound, leading to an exclusive commodification of what and whose language is valued given narrow representations of the ideal citizen.

Authors

• Casey Richardson, Western Colorado University

• Maredil Leon, University of Houston