An Evaluative Study of “We Can1” English Textbook in Saudi Public Elementary Schools

This study aimed at analyzing and evaluating the content of We Can1, which is published by Mc Graw Hill, edition 2021 for the first grade as a school curriculum for Saudi public schools. It is conducted in the public elementary schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. We Can1 is chosen for the current study, because it is used in the public elementary schools as an English curriculum. Thus, a deep evaluation of the textbook content is needed. However, the other elementary grades are using other We Can series. The purpose of the current study is to examine the content of We Can1 according to the curriculum layout and design, activities, and English skills. It also seeks to scrutinize the cultural appropriateness of We Can1 in association with the EFL Saudi students’ culture. Moreover, the study focuses on We Can1 curriculum to measure the extent in which it meets the students’ needs. Besides, the interpretation of the objectives of We Can1 as a curriculum in the learning process somehow. The Qualitative Content Analysis (QCA) is used for the current study as a research method to help the researcher in analyzing and evaluating the content. The researcher found that We Can 1 is an effective material in respect to layout and design. Moreover, all the English skills are included except reading skills. The researcher also concluded that We Can1 is culturally appropriate for EFL Saudi students in public elementary schools.