A Content Analysis Of Writing Tasks In Indonesian EFL Textbooks: Do They Promote Higher-Order Thinking Skills?
Abstract
This study analyzes 326 writing tasks in two Grade VII Indonesian EFL textbooks Bright an English (Chapters 1–8) and English for Nusantara (Chapters 1–5) to evaluate their promotion of Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) using Bloom’s Revised Taxonomy. Using descriptive content analysis, tasks were coded independently by two raters with an inter-rater check, then tallied and categorized into six cognitive levels. Results show all six levels are present: LOTS (remembering, understanding, applying) 65.38% dominated by grammar exercises, vocabulary tasks, and controlled activities and HOTS (analyzing, evaluating, creating) 34.62%, appearing in authentic project tasks such as sequencing dialogues, judging restaurant names, designing tourist leaflets, family-tree descriptions, and food-video scripts. Both textbooks exceed the >30% HOTS threshold for Phase D and display a structured progression from LOTS to HOTS. Integration of Profil Pelajar Pancasila values and local elements supports holistic objectives. Recommendations: developers should balance cognitive distribution and include Bloom labels, teachers should add HOTS activities and metacognitive guidance, and policymakers should set HOTS percentage requirements and provide professional development.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Alshaiji, H. K., & Al-saeed, S. J. (2021). Effect of Instructions in Course Book Tasks on Promoting Higher-Order Thinking Skills. 14(12), 218–226. https://doi.org/10.5539/elt.v14n12p218
Anderson, L. W., & Krathwohl, D. R. (2001). A Taxonomy for Learning, Teaching, and Assessing: A Revision of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives. Longman.
Arlansyah, A., Puspita, H., & Saputra, E. (2017). Reading Questions in “English for Nusantara” Textbook by Using Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy Corresponding email. Journal of Islamic Education, II(2), 173–194.
Edi, S., Iswandini, I., Andriani, N., & Aryaningsih, N. (2024). Implementing Bloom’s Taxonomy in the English Curriculum Under Merdeka Belajar Program. English Review: Journal of English Education, 12(3), 1179–1190. https://doi.org/10.25134/erjee.v12i3.10408
Fakhrillah, A. R., & Suharyadi, S. (2025). Evaluating Hots and Lots in ‘English for Nusantara’: A Content Analysis af A Grade VII English Textbook. Journal of Languages and Language Teaching, 13(2), 515. https://doi.org/10.33394/jollt.v13i2.13391
Fitriani, R., Iskandar, I., & Seseno, M. (2023). The implementation of higher order thinking skills (HOTS) in English Language Teaching: the case of Indonesian Senior High School EFL teachers. Didaktika: Jurnal Kependidikan, 12(4), 739–750.
Hidayat, M. Y. R., & Rohmana, W. I. M. (2025). Cognitive Levels of Indonesian Junior High School English Textbook Questions: a Revised Bloom’S Taxonomy Analysis. Journal of English Educational Study (JEES), 8(1), 107–116. https://doi.org/10.31932/jees.v8i1.4565
Huda, M., Purnomo, E., Anggraini, D., Prameswari, D. H., Surakarta, U. M., Pendidikan, M., Indonesia, B., Surakarta, U. M., Order, H., & Skills, T. (2021). Higher Order Thinking Skills ( Hots ) Dalam Materi Dan Soal Pada Buku Pelajaran Bahasa Indonesia. 16(02), 128–143.
Köksal, D., Gökhan, Ö., & Nurcihan, U. (2023). Acta Educationis Generalis Revised Bloom ’ s Taxonomy in Reading Texts in EFL / ESL Settings Acta Educationis Generalis. 13(1), 133–146. https://doi.org/10.2478/atd-2023-0007
Mahardhika, G. A., Wirza, Y., Al-kahfi, F. R., & Dindang, A. (2025). Analyzing HOTS Labeled Questions in An EFL Fifth Grade Elementary School Textbook. 10(May), 165–183.
Permatasari, A., Muhaji, U., & Purnawati, M. (2025). The Integration of Higher Order Thinking Skills in an Indonesian EFL Secondary School English Textbook. Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature, 20(1), 83–97. https://doi.org/10.15294/lc.v20i1.33935
Poedjiastutie, D., Akhyar, F., Hidayati, D., & Nurul Gasmi, F. (2018). Does Curriculum Help Students to Develop Their English Competence? A Case in Indonesia. Arab World English Journal, 9(2), 175–185. https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol9no2.12
Riani, D., & Utami, P. P. (2024). Exploring Pancasila Student Values In Efl Textbook Entitled English For Nusantara For Seventh Grade Students. Jurnal Ilmiah Wahana Pendidikan, 10(4), 257–265.
Rifka Alkhilyatul Ma’rifat, I Made Suraharta, I. I. J. (2024). No Title 済無No Title No Title No Title. 2(3), 306–312.
Siregar, R A, Sukyadi, D., & Yusuf, F. N. (2024). A Critical Content Analysis of Writing Materials Covered in Indonesian High School English Textbooks. Studies in English Language and Education, 11(1), 205–227. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v11i1.30169
Siregar, Renol Aprico, Sukyadi, D., & Yusuf, F. N. (2024). A Critical Content Analysis of Writing Materials Covered in Indonesian High School English Textbooks. Studies in English Language and Education, 11(1), 205–227. https://doi.org/10.24815/siele.v11i1.30169
Tyas, M. A., Nurkamto, J., & Marmanto, S. (2020). Cultivating Students’ Higher-Order Thinking Skills in EFL Classes: The Role of the Teacher and the. International Online Journal of Education and Teaching, 7(1), 267–276.
Zainil, Y. (2026, January). Analyzing Higher And Lower Order Thinking Skills In The “ English For Nusantara ” Grade Viii Textbook. JOLLT Journal of Languages and Language Teaching.
Zebua, F. R. S., Harefa, T., Maru’ao, N., & Zega, R. (2025). An Analysis of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) in the Reading Exercises of the Textbook “English for Nusantara” for the Eighth Grade of Junior High School Based on Bloom’s Taxonomy. Journal of English Language and Education, 10(4), 1247–1256.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v11i4.2675
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2026 Sindy Widya Anggraeni, Siti Musarokah, Nur Hidayat
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
