English Lang. Teaching essay - Q: Would authentic materials be suitable for lower level learners in English Language teaching?

The Increasing Need for Authentic

Reading Texts in ELT Classrooms

Introduction

On the academic debate on which type of English language teaching (ELT textbooks is more effective - the authentic ' or non-authentic reading materials - this takes the view that use of authentic text in ELT classrooms will yield better outcomes for the increasing number of non-English students around the world who want to master this language of globalization Globalization has given a new dimension to the mastery of English as an international language (EIL , underlining the need for a more efficient

br no-time-wasted language teaching in schools . For this purpose , the crucial role played by texts in ELT reading exercises has come under closer examination . Which type of ELT textbooks is more appropriate for present needs : the authentic ' or non-authentic ' reading materials The trend seems to move away from the grammar-based pedagogic content of non-authentic text in favor of authentic text , which simulates the real world outside the classroom . I agree that non-native English learners will relate better to authentic text because it is based on content or what students see around them . By teaching words and phrases that describe familiar objects , for example , English becomes a living ' language as used by the community . This could give learners the feeling that they are in touch with reality and thus increase their motivation for learning . For this reason , more and more authentic texts are being incorporated into the materials used for English language teaching to close the gap between pedagogic texts and the real world Authentic texts , being culled from day-to-day living , may appeal to students as relevant and interesting and thus serve to increase their motivation to learn . Hence , text authenticity has become popular as part of the current orthodoxy in ELT , its relevance considered especially high in the communicative exercises . In this essay , we shall discuss the rationale , advantages and benefits of authentic text including the problems that may arise from its use . Together with the reasons for its increasing use in the classroom , we will also explore the factors that may dash its effective use , how the materials are actually taught and the different contexts and requirements for a successful teaching of such authentic materials Authentic Text

For the past 15 years , the conviction grew among applied linguists and those who design ELT texts that language teaching involves not only an immersion in its grammar but also how grammar is used in the business of actual everyday communication (Widdowson , 1979 . Language teaching , in this view , will not go far if it seeks to develop only the student 's grammatical competence without paying heed to his communicative ability For language study to be productive , the language experiences must engage the thoughts and minds of students . This gave impetus to the development and increasing use of authentic text , which brings real communication into the classroom (Nunan , 1985

This arose out of the need to shift our attention away from an almost exclusive concentration on grammatical competence and give equal attention to...