The Representations of Character Education Values ​​in an Indonesian EFL Textbook Entitled “English For Nusantara”

Abstract

The growing incidence of moral and ethical issues among Indonesian students highlights the urgent need for effective character education. This study addresses this need by examining how well a government-funded EFL textbook "English for Nusantara" for seventh-grade students integrates and promotes the character education values outlined in the Pancasila Student Profiles recommended by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (MoECRT) of Indoenesia. Using a qualitative analysis method with a descriptive approach, data were collected through content anaylsis of the textbook's visual and verbal materials. The findings indicate that the textbook places a strong emphasis on collaboration, which aligns with the dimension of mutual cooperation. However, the value of reflection within the critical reasoning dimension is less prominently highlighted. In conclusion, the textbook reflects the character education values relevant to the Pancasila Student Profiles, though there are areas for improvement. This study provides insights for future textbook development to better integrate character values into learning materials. It also highlights the importance for educators to be more aware of character education values in the teaching-learning process and emphasizes the need for supplemental textbooks that better apply these values.