MODELLING THE ACTIVITY OF A FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEXTBOOK AUTHOR

Abstract

The authors of the paper offer an insight into the process of constructing a school foreign language textbook from author’s perspective. The authors analyse the process of textbook publishing in Ukraine. Although the process of selecting textbooks is properly regulated and authors are provided with necessary methodological instructions, the process of constructing textbook content remains purely author’s domain. According to the empirical data obtained in the survey many authors frequently rely on their own intuition in construction practices rather than scientific approach. Following imperfect strategies leads to producing flawed textbooks. Thus, a lot of effort is directed into correcting manuscripts. In this respect the authors of the article thoroughly analysed work of a typical textbook author and provide relevant recommendations to follow. Author’s activity is properly structured and each of its components is described in detail. It is considered that thorough planning of author’s construction activity is no less important than considering modern methodological trends and syllabus requirements. Furthermore, the authors raise an important issue of what type of experts are to be involved the process of constructing textbook content. The results of the paper are based on empirical data obtained in the process of surveying textbook authors, educators as well as own experience of the authors in their textbook construction activity.