محمدرضا خدادوست

As the most basic means of instruction and learning, textbooks play a pivotal role in teaching any language since they provide a dependable source of language input for learners. However, with the wide array of textbooks available in the market, opting for the textbooks suiting the peculiar educational parameters of different settings, seems to be a cumbersome task; therefore, to gain greater educational outcomes, to save time, and to incur less costs on learning, logical selection of textbooks through scientifically sound principles seems to be a sensible strategy. The present study utilized an a priori evaluation of the widely-used Pre-intermediate Three (Pre3) textbook of Iran Language Institute (ILI) by using two textbook evaluation schemes by Grant and Demir and Ertas. The results indicated that, despite the numerous merits of the mentioned textbook, including the active role of the learners in completing the tasks, it has got a rather traditional view of the learners’ roles, and one-way teacher-student interaction predominates at the expense of invaluable group and team interaction. Moreover, the written mode of input outweighs the oral one and with its over-emphasis on forms instruction, it prescribes structures for use by learners. Some revisions, are, finally, proposed to make the book more suitable for the Digi-minded learners today.

The choice of terms of address is a typical instance representing the relational aspect of language. People address and are addressed in diverse ways in their everyday lives. Their reciprocal use of terms of address hinges upon a number of factors including power, affect, distance as well as degree of intimacy. Moreover, the use of a variety of words in different settings is a true measure indicating whether the interlocutors have crossed the borders of socially accepted and appropriate language or not. The present study focuses on the dialogues of the play entitled "Death of a Salesman" in the framework of Brown, Levinson, and Wardhaugh's theories on politeness, taboo words, and power relations. A careful  sociolinguistic examination of  the discourse features  of some samples of the play  indicated that different factors influence the exercise of power, observing politeness, and the use of taboo words by people in their everyday interactions via verbal and non-verbal language.