Analysis of Cultural Representation in English Language Books for the Merdeka Curriculum of Secondary School

Abstract

This study analyzes cultural representation in English-language books used in the Merdeka Curriculum for secondary schools. Using a descriptive qualitative approach and content analysis method, this study examines three textbooks officially published by the government. The first book is Think Globally Act Locally: English for Grade X, the second is Bahasa Inggris untuk SMA/MA Kelas XI, and the third is English for Grade VIII. The analysis results indicate that foreign cultures, especially Western cultures, dominate Indonesian culture, which appears in a limited manner and is often not contextualized deeply. The representation of culture in these books is often only symbolic and fails to explore existing cultural values thoroughly. This imbalance has significant potential to influence the formation of students' cultural identity and weaken their understanding of Indonesian cultures. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen the content of local culture in English textbooks to promote learning that is more contextual, inclusive, and reflective of national values.