ERIC Number: EJ1485681
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0159-6306
EISSN: EISSN-1469-3739
Available Date: 0000-00-00
A Critical Discourse Study of Cultural and National Identity (Re)Construction in Taiwanese High School EFL Textbooks
Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, v46 n4 p433-448 2025
In foreign language textbooks, cultural representations embedded in texts and images not only facilitate the acquisition of linguistic knowledge but also construct ethnic or political identities. Over the past century, the mainstream ideology in Taiwan has changed due to the rotation of ruling parties and generational shifts. This change is also evident in contemporary English-as-a-Foreign-Language textbooks. In light of this emerging issue, this study employed critical discourse analysis to examine three sets of textbooks that are widely used in high schools in Taiwan. The study reveals that textbooks produced in Taiwan generally: (1) highlight the indigenous culture of the island, (2) extensively depict contemporary Taiwanese celebrities, specialties, and natural landscapes, (3) embellish the period of Japanese and Dutch-Spanish colonisation, and (4) strategically differentiate between 'China/Chinese' and 'Taiwan/Taiwanese'. The findings expose the Taiwan-centric perspective of the textbooks while downplaying the significance of the national title -- 'the Republic of China'.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Secondary School Curriculum, High Schools, English (Second Language), Textbook Evaluation, Patriotism, Reference Groups, Agenda Setting, Cultural Influences, Textbooks, Textbook Content, Ideology
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education; High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Taiwan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1School of Foreign Studies, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, People’s Republic of China; 2The Department of Communication, University of Macau, Macau SAR; 3Academy of Applied Political Studies and Education Futures, Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR

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