Of interest to second language researchers and classroom teachers today is whether and in what wats formal instruction can promote the development of appropriate use of the target language. Most formal instruction is closely related with the use of textbooks in ESL classrooms, so this study focuses on ESL textbooks. In order to learn to communicate successfully, students should use textbooks which specify the rules of language use for the community in which they are operating. This study examines the speech acts of compliment across 8 middle school English textbooks published in Korea. This study analyses the speech acts of compliment according to the following criteria : 1) vocabulary - adjective, verb, intensifier 2) sentence pattern 3) social strategy - invitation to talk, greetings, farewells, expression of gratitude, etc. 4) types of response. As a result of this study some suggestions is giver to promote the development of appropriate use of English through English textbooks.