This qualitative content analysis has investigated if three Swedish EFL textbooks, from some of the largest publishers in Sweden, correspond to intercultural ideas in the curriculum for upper secondary schools, and the course syllabus for English 5.

The theories used in this study are based on Risager's three criteria for a categorized and analytical content analysis (1991), Kachru's model of World Englishes (1985) and three curricula dating from 1994-2011 (Skolverket). In this study, a number of different theories concerning intercultural awareness have been used in order to analyse the results that were discovered when applying Risager's criteria.

This study has shown that Swedish EFL textbooks have limitations regarding the goals set out by the Educational Board of Sweden (Skolverket). The results of the study show that Swedish EFL textbooks tend to focus on Kachru's inner circle of English and disregard other cultures that belong to the outer and expanding circles of Kachru's model. It has been demonstrated that in the current curriculum and English syllabus there are ideas and thoughts missing concerning intercultural awareness. Therefore, more research is needed in the field of learning materials, and that is why this essay has been written. The analysis of the textbooks was conducted by using three of Risager's relevant criteria for qualitative content analysis to be able to answer the research questions.