Evaluation of the Cultural Elements in the Textbook “Genki I: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese”

Abstract

This study aims to examine the textbook “Genki I: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese” in terms of cultural elements. The data of this qualitative research were collected by means of the document review method. Content analysis, one of the qualitative analysis techniques, was used in the evaluation of the research data. A second coding was carried out by a second researcher to ensure the reliability of the study. The categories in the study were formed in the line of the cultural product, thought and behavior classifications developed by Tomalin & Stempleski (1993). In addition, the tools for cultural instruction, as taught by Qu (2010), Frank (2013), Peterson & Coltrane (2003), have helped to create the relevant codes.

In comparison of the cultural elements in the textbook “Genki I: an Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese”, this study found that the textbook emphasizes more on the elements related to behavioral dimension of the culture, but does not give much room for the elements related to belief dimension. Also, the textbook “Genki I: an Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese” was observed to use the device of “describing and explaining the culture”, at most.