An Evaluation of Vocabulary in Kenyan English Textbooks: a Case Study in Applied Linguistics

Vocabulary is a central element in the teaching and learning of language. Yet, very little literature exists on the evaluation of how vocabulary is presented in school textbooks. This book uses structural and functional linguistic theories as well as language learning theories to evaluate six approved English textbooks in Kenya. The chief objective of language learning at primary level in Kenyan schools is to achieve communicative competence. This evaluation sought to find out if this objective is met by the six recommended English textbooks for the fourth grade. This book shows the various semantic fields used to present vocabulary items in the recommended textbooks. It also reveals that various texts are used to present vocabulary in these textbooks. Similarly, a wide range of practice activities are used in the six textbooks. This book is invaluable to teachers and learners of English as well as language textbook writers and publishers.