This study aims to find how appropriately the content elements are graded
and sequenced in Korean elementary school English textbooks from 3rd grade to
6th grade. The content elements such as communicative function, topic,
grammar, vocabulary and culture were analyzed and examined in terms of
sequence and coherence of arrangement throughout the four year-long syllabi
from the third to the sixth grades. The results indicate that communicative
functions were graded appropriately, with keeping recycling approach, and topic,
grammar and culture were sequenced reasonably, focusing on the communicative
skills in everyday life. It also shows that the number of new words for students
to study in each lesson varied from lesson to lesson, which may cause problems
to students. It is suggested that the role of a coordinator, who sees through the
entire contents of the textbooks and coordinates the grading of the content
elements, should be stressed in the next textbook development.
key words: elementary school English textbooks, grading of content elements, communicative
functions