This paper aims at presenting the results of an investigation on the use of the textbook, particularly on word written accents and tonicity, in the pedagogical practice of two 4th and 5th grades primary school teachers. Although several studies have shown that the algorithmic and memorizing pedagogical approach is not adequate in the learning of spoken and written language, there is still the supposition that teachers are still linked to the above. Lesson reports on the contents mentioned above and school textbook analyses were undertaken. Reports showed that there was a paramount importance given to the use of textbooks, that short time was allowed for the exposition of contents and that the textbooks failed to distinguish between the two linguistic modes (spoken and written). In fact, the teaching of word written accents by viewing and memorizing accented words is priority. A conceptual confusion exists in both cases since the tonic syllable is an aspect of speech whilst word written accent is directly bound to writing. Data suggests that, as an aspect of grammar rules, word written accent should be taught as a grammatical algorithm within a process of grammar norms.
education; tonicity; word written accent; teachers' training; school textbook
