Comparative Study: Cultural Content Analysis on Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) and American English Textbooks

Abstract

Cultural content on foreign language learning materials has a pivotal role in language learning process. Considering the significant of implementing cultural exposure in learning process can gives deep contextual comprehension to the target language that could not achieve only by practicing vocabulary and grammar. This qualitative descriptive research analyses Sahabatku Indonesia BIPA B1 (Indonesian Language for Foreign Speakers) and American English textbook, Headway English B1 using Cunningsworth’s Evaluation Checklist framework for examine several aspects of language learning content and Michael Byram’s Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) model to explore the representation of cultural content in both textbooks. The findings suggest that the Sahabatku Indonesia BIPA B1 textbook have a more representative in terms of the number of cultural elements compared to Headway English B1 with a more servile representation of diverse cultural perspective. The study highlights a balanced approach to representation of culture needs to be considered in language teaching materials, particularly in teaching English as an international language, so that the cultural competency and linguistic proficiency among language learners are assuredly enhanced.