Mid Sweden University

The focus of the study has been to analyze certain exercises in two EFL coursebook series, with the focal point being verb constructions and pedagogical approaches. The exercises have been analyzed to identify which verb constructions are found and emphasized in the coursebooks in terms of pupils’ answers and written production. Similarities and differences have been discussed when comparing the coursebooks and an attempt has been made to identify which pedagogical approach to grammar teaching is used in the coursebooks. It was identified that the simple present tense is the most prevalent verb construction in all the coursebooks analyzed. Additionally, in both coursebooks for grade six, the simple past tense was quite prevalent as well. However, when comparing the two coursebook series, there were also some differences noted in verb construction inclusion and application in exercises. In regard to approaches, it was shown that The Book about Me 1 does not include any rule explanations of verb constructions, or any grammatical forms and constructions for that matter, whereas the Spotlight 4 Workbook does have several examples of rule explanations. Moreover, this pattern of rule explanations was further emphasized in The Book about Me 3 and the Spotlight 6 Workbook. The significant difference in inclusion of rule explanations and types of exercises, when comparing the coursebooks, made it possible to identify different approaches. It was argued that The Book about Me appears to be more in line with communicative methods and an implicit approach, while Spotlight can be described as using more traditional methods with an explicit approach. Lastly, although the scope of the essay did not allow for further discussion of the value and effectiveness of the different methods and approaches used in the coursebooks, this could of course be of interest in a potential follow-up study.