Using authentic materials

Author Topic: Using authentic materials  (Read 1039 times)

Offline Afroza Akhter Tina

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Using authentic materials
« on: January 31, 2015, 06:42:33 PM »
Using authentic material is very important to enhance language learning in terms of having the real exposure of the target language. Charlene Polio in his article Using Authentic Materials in The Beginning Language Classroom states that, it is really important to have the real life exposure in terms of learning. It further mentions about the different types of authentic materials as children’s books and translated materials depending on the learner’s ability and level. Ferit Kilickaya in the article Authentic Materials and Cultural Content in EFL Classrooms' defines authentic material as ‘the exposure to real language and its use in its own community'. In addition, Harmer (1991), cited in Matsuta (n.d., para. 1) defines authentic texts as materials that are meant to design and use for the native speakers only; they are not designed for language students. Moreover Jordan (1997, p. 113) concerns these texts as not to be used for language teaching purposes.
There are issues regarding the use of authentic materials in a language teaching class. There can be some problems as the students may miss the vocabulary, structure and pattern of the target language and they can be fully motivated to use the language only in their real life. However, most of the teachers around the world agree on the issue that these are very helpful for learning a foreign language but the concern should be on the appropriate timing and how these can be used in a language classroom. Here I am attaching Charlene Polio’s article for your further concern.

Offline irina

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Re: Using authentic materials
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2015, 03:26:19 PM »
Good to know, Tina.

Offline Afroza Akhter Tina

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Re: Using authentic materials
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2015, 06:42:48 PM »
Thank you Irina ma'am  :)