Accents in EFL and FLE Textbooks: A Romanian Perspective

Abstract

This study investigates the distribution of accents in the audio materials accompanying two EFL and two FLE textbooks commonly used in Romania. A total of more than 25,000 seconds of recordings were analysed and classified according to accent type, with percentages calculated per textbook. Results show that both English and French textbooks overwhelmingly prioritise prestige standards, Received Pronunciation and Paris French, while other varieties appear only in token proportions or in peripheral contexts such as songs or authentic video clips. These patterns reinforce the ideology of the standard, shaping learners’ perceptions of what counts as “correct” pronunciation. While maintaining a model accent provides stability at lower levels, broader variation is needed to normalise linguistic diversity and reflect the input learners encounter in classrooms and media.