Assignment C - Part 3
Essay
600-700 word Essay on Using Authentic Materials and the Internet
Please write the essay under the four headings given.
a) The value of using authentic materials in foreign language teaching:
Keeping students engaged in class can be a real challenge for teachers. A way in which this can be
remedied is to supplement coursebook lessons with authentic materials. Not only do they assist
students in the proper understanding of cohesive devices, such as discourse markers, personal
pronouns and articles (TEFL Academy, Cohesive devices) they can also help students connect with
the English speaking world by getting a taste of what native speakers would be exposed to. (TEFL
Academy, Authentic materials).
Authentic materials usually contain a high level of grammar and vocabulary that isn’t graded which
provides the teacher with material that can be adapted to fit the class and students with a real
challenge of understanding the text. This can result in the student feeling a real sense of
accomplishment, especially for those students who are recent immigrants in an English speaking
country as it prepares them for what they may encounter day to day. (TEFL Academy, Authentic
materials). In addition, the idiosyncrasies of a native language can be better understood with
authentic materials, providing the student with valuable insight regarding the English culture and
general perspectives around certain issues.
b) Reasons for the selection of this text and the 12 vocabulary items. Rationale for changes to
text, if applicable.
With the use of plastic packaging being a real issue in today's world, this article was chosen with
the premise that students would find the subject interesting and relatable. Some text was omitted
to fit in with the word cap but also as it wasn’t entirely necessary to the article. With it being
focused around the United Kingdom’s involvement with plastic consumption, it offers an
opportunity for students to feel more connected to their new home and creates ways to engage
with fellow UK residents.
As the group consists of advanced learners a Newspaper article felt the most fitting as it allows the
opportunity to explore different attitudes around the topic of the climate crisis with a rich
vocabulary, which the students will most likely not have been exposed to yet. This will help them
to improve not only their reading skills but also other skills. (TEFL Academy, Some reading activities
for different levels)
The vocabulary chosen was based mainly on the Vocab Kitchen’s assessment of the text. I tried to
choose the appropriate selection between C1 and C2 but also keeping in mind that B1 level
© 2020 The TEFL Academy. All rights reserved. 1
Essay
600-700 word Essay on Using Authentic Materials and the Internet
Please write the essay under the four headings given.
a) The value of using authentic materials in foreign language teaching:
Keeping students engaged in class can be a real challenge for teachers. A way in which this can be
remedied is to supplement coursebook lessons with authentic materials. Not only do they assist
students in the proper understanding of cohesive devices, such as discourse markers, personal
pronouns and articles (TEFL Academy, Cohesive devices) they can also help students connect with
the English speaking world by getting a taste of what native speakers would be exposed to. (TEFL
Academy, Authentic materials).
Authentic materials usually contain a high level of grammar and vocabulary that isn’t graded which
provides the teacher with material that can be adapted to fit the class and students with a real
challenge of understanding the text. This can result in the student feeling a real sense of
accomplishment, especially for those students who are recent immigrants in an English speaking
country as it prepares them for what they may encounter day to day. (TEFL Academy, Authentic
materials). In addition, the idiosyncrasies of a native language can be better understood with
authentic materials, providing the student with valuable insight regarding the English culture and
general perspectives around certain issues.
b) Reasons for the selection of this text and the 12 vocabulary items. Rationale for changes to
text, if applicable.
With the use of plastic packaging being a real issue in today's world, this article was chosen with
the premise that students would find the subject interesting and relatable. Some text was omitted
to fit in with the word cap but also as it wasn’t entirely necessary to the article. With it being
focused around the United Kingdom’s involvement with plastic consumption, it offers an
opportunity for students to feel more connected to their new home and creates ways to engage
with fellow UK residents.
As the group consists of advanced learners a Newspaper article felt the most fitting as it allows the
opportunity to explore different attitudes around the topic of the climate crisis with a rich
vocabulary, which the students will most likely not have been exposed to yet. This will help them
to improve not only their reading skills but also other skills. (TEFL Academy, Some reading activities
for different levels)
The vocabulary chosen was based mainly on the Vocab Kitchen’s assessment of the text. I tried to
choose the appropriate selection between C1 and C2 but also keeping in mind that B1 level
© 2020 The TEFL Academy. All rights reserved. 1
