The English Language Curriculum at Palestine’s Schools: An Analysis of the Sixth Grade English Curriculum and the Inclusion of a Cultural Spot

Abstract

This paper surveys the development of the Palestinian educational system in general and the English general and the English curriculum in specific. That is, it illustrates the developmental stages of the educational system across various periods of time and the Palestinian curriculum guidelines together with the achievements. It also addresses the English curriculum of the sixth grade, and analyzes Unit 7 of the 6th Grade textbook. Consequently, some modifications were suggested regarding various skills, and the need of including cultural spots in each unit was highlighted. The researcher suggested some ideas related to the use of role-cards in teaching speaking and cultural spots to teacher reading. For speaking, the researcher planned some role cards, in which each student has a role to play, i.e offering help for the grandparents in collecting olives. For reading, a cultural paragraph about the plant of mango in India was suggested. These sample activities make connections with students experience and the culture of others.