THE IMPORTANCE OF AUTHENTIC MATERIALS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING

Abstract

Many English classes come with a textbook or curriculum for instructors to follow. This can be helpful when designing a course, determining learning outcomes, and assessing students. It also makes it easy for teachers to plan lessons and introduce concepts to students in a logical sequence. However, these resources are not provided by every institution and even when they are, they often lack an authentic context in which students can practice English. In cases where these resources are not provided for a course, using authentic materials is an excellent option. Different types of authentic materials, the benefits and challenges of using them will be discussed. Teaching strategies to use with these materials in the English language classroom will also be explored. Activities will focus on activating and building students' background knowledge, increasing vocabulary, supporting comprehension, and including summative tasks.