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 learners engaged in the classroom can be a real challenge for teachers. A way in which this
can be remedied is to supplement course book lessons with authentic materials. Authentic
materials are simply any material such as texts, audio clips or videos that were created for a
native speaking audience, as opposed to learners (Ivanova, 2022) .The value of using these
materials in foreign language teaching provides a whole host of advantages.
Firstly, authentic materials tend to be more interesting and engaging because they often expose
learners to real pieces of culture of the target language, allowing pupils to learn about how words,
sentences, colloquialisms and slang terms are used in everyday conversations beyond the
classroom. Using these real life language materials help learners to develop a meaningful
connection to the language, relate better to the content as well as support the entire learning
process.
These materials also usually contain a high level of grammar and vocabulary that isn’t
appropriately graded for learners. But by carefully choosing and adapting these real life language
materials to suit the level of learners; we not only give learners a sense of accomplishment,
increase their self-confidence and motivation but also provide a refreshing change from usual
mundane grammatically structured lesson.
Lastly, the great advantage about these real life language materials is that a vast amount of these
materials are available everywhere, which makes it easy to find. These materials aren’t limited to
just articles from newspapers and magazines. TV programmes, blogs, songs, radio, podcasts,
posters, street signs and menus are examples which constitute authentic material that learners
encounter in their daily lives and can practice the language at their own leisure. Ultimately the
benefit of using these real life language materials in the classroom is that it prepares learners for a
world they will eventually have to engage in.
b) Reasons for the selection of this text and the 12 vocabulary items. Rationale for changes to
text, if applicable.
Social media has become part and parcel of everyone’s modern daily life. This article was chosen
with the premises that since most individuals are acquainted & frequently use social media
platforms; learners would find the topic relatable as well as highly interesting. It is also an
intriguing and popular subject that appeals to learners across various age groups. The article also
felt most fitting for the class because it allows the opportunities for learners to explore the topic of
© 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 learners engaged in the classroom can be a real challenge for teachers. A way in which this
can be remedied is to supplement course book lessons with authentic materials. Authentic
materials are simply any material such as texts, audio clips or videos that were created for a
native speaking audience, as opposed to learners (Ivanova, 2022) .The value of using these
materials in foreign language teaching provides a whole host of advantages.
Firstly, authentic materials tend to be more interesting and engaging because they often expose
learners to real pieces of culture of the target language, allowing pupils to learn about how words,
sentences, colloquialisms and slang terms are used in everyday conversations beyond the
classroom. Using these real life language materials help learners to develop a meaningful
connection to the language, relate better to the content as well as support the entire learning
process.
These materials also usually contain a high level of grammar and vocabulary that isn’t
appropriately graded for learners. But by carefully choosing and adapting these real life language
materials to suit the level of learners; we not only give learners a sense of accomplishment,
increase their self-confidence and motivation but also provide a refreshing change from usual
mundane grammatically structured lesson.
Lastly, the great advantage about these real life language materials is that a vast amount of these
materials are available everywhere, which makes it easy to find. These materials aren’t limited to
just articles from newspapers and magazines. TV programmes, blogs, songs, radio, podcasts,
posters, street signs and menus are examples which constitute authentic material that learners
encounter in their daily lives and can practice the language at their own leisure. Ultimately the
benefit of using these real life language materials in the classroom is that it prepares learners for a
world they will eventually have to engage in.
b) Reasons for the selection of this text and the 12 vocabulary items. Rationale for changes to
text, if applicable.
Social media has become part and parcel of everyone’s modern daily life. This article was chosen
with the premises that since most individuals are acquainted & frequently use social media
platforms; learners would find the topic relatable as well as highly interesting. It is also an
intriguing and popular subject that appeals to learners across various age groups. The article also
felt most fitting for the class because it allows the opportunities for learners to explore the topic of
© 2020 The TEFL Academy. All rights reserved. 1
