Cultural Representation in ELT: A Comparative Analysis of Global and National Coursebooks
Abstract
This study investigates cultural representation in two English language teaching (ELT) coursebooks: the Ministry of National Education (MoNE) coursebook Waymark 9 and the globally published Cambridge Empower B1 Pre-Intermediate. Using qualitative content analysis, it compares Waymark 9 Theme 6 and Empower Unit 4 in terms of cultural models, cultural values, diversity and gender roles, and student agency with critical cultural awareness. The findings show that Empower offers wider international references, yet many cultural elements remain surface-level and are framed through target-culture norms, individual choice, and functional social interaction. In contrast, Waymark foregrounds source culture through Turkish cities, food traditions, communal practices, and cultural heritage while also including selected international examples linked to tradition, sustainability, and shared human experience. Both coursebooks present mixed gender representations, combining egalitarian roles with continuing traditional associations. The study concludes that local and global coursebooks can complement each other, but both require teacher mediation to promote deeper intercultural awareness in classrooms.