Mitigation devices help learners navigate social situations by allowing them to express their thoughts and opinions in a more nuanced and considerate manner. Understanding and using mitigation devices appropriately can improve communication effectiveness and avoid misunderstandings or unintended offenses. This study aimed to evaluate how effectively the textbook presents mitigation devices. A close reading and analysis of the conversations in Headway ESL textbook series was conducted and mitigation devices were found and classified according to Caffi’s typology of mitigation devices. The results of the study showed that the mitigation devices in the Headway series (5th Edition) Intermediate and Advanced levels can equip learners with the linguistic tools necessary to navigate social interactions, express themselves with politeness, and understand the subtleties of language use in different contexts. It promotes critical thinking and problem-solving by emphasizing the significance of incorporating mitigation devices and sustainable practices into the curriculum through textbooks.
