Potentiale und grenzen der fremdsprachenlehrwerke im lehr- und lernprozess / Potentials and Limitations of Foreign Language Textbooks in The Teaching and Learning Process

Despite the increasing digitization, the traditional foreign language textbook plays a crucial role in the teaching and learning process. It has a direct influence on lesson planning and formulation of objectives, and is the key medium for both teachers and learners. Therefore, this article explores the specificity of the foreign language textbook in the context of foreign language teaching and learning. An attempt is made to clarify the term “foreign language textbook”, with various related terms. Tasks and features of foreign language textbooks are examined, as well as their relation to the target group with regard to age, language level and learning objectives. Global, regional and regionalized textbooks are compared and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Finally, the potentials and limitations of foreign language textbooks are explained as well as the outlook on the future of textbooks.