Abstract:

This study examines EFL textbooks used in the Egyptian state elementary schools during the rule of the Justice and Freedom party (FJP), the political party of the Muslim Brotherhood. A critical discourse analysis within the framework of the critical curriculum theory is used to analyze the text in the books.

The study investigates the main ideologies, belief systems and background themes manifested in the discourse of the post 2011 revolution editions used during the academic year 2012-2013 of the Egyptian EFL Textbooks for Years 1, 2 and 3. The study concludes that the textbooks’ discourse and illustrations promotes secular beliefs, portrays the Egyptian environment as largely agricultural and touristic. The study also shows that, to some extent, the Egyptian family is featured as a nuclear one and that the textbooks’ content and discourse does not familiarize the students with the culture of the target language.

Keywords:

EFL, ESL, Textbooks, Post-revolution Egypt, Discourse Analysis, Critical Curriculum Theory, Cultural values, Religion