Exploring authentic materialsExploring authentic materials

By Tom SarneyBy Tom Sarney

What exactly do we mean by What exactly do we mean by authentic materials?authentic materials?

In EFL we mean…………. In EFL we mean………….

““Any unedited text which was originally Any unedited text which was originally designed for native speakers and not for use designed for native speakers and not for use in the classroom with language learners” in the classroom with language learners”

Types of authentic texts Types of authentic texts

Reading textsReading texts

Listening textsListening texts

Audio visual textsAudio visual texts

Examples of authentic textsExamples of authentic texts NewspapersNewspapers MagazinesMagazines Brochures/pamphlets/catalogues/menusBrochures/pamphlets/catalogues/menus Internet articlesInternet articles LiteratureLiterature Reference booksReference books PoetryPoetry AdvertisementsAdvertisements

MoviesMovies Radio and TV programmesRadio and TV programmes Songs Songs TV/radio advertisementsTV/radio advertisements

Why we’re reluctant to use them…Why we’re reluctant to use them…

Too much preparation timeToo much preparation time

Too difficult for students and de-motivating if the task is inappropriateToo difficult for students and de-motivating if the task is inappropriate

Some texts are impossible to use with very low levelsSome texts are impossible to use with very low levels

Sometimes authentic material doesn’t provide a good enough “model” Sometimes authentic material doesn’t provide a good enough “model” for language learnersfor language learners

Syllabus restrictions Syllabus restrictions

Teachers lack necessary skills to exploit texts Teachers lack necessary skills to exploit texts

Lack of access to resourcesLack of access to resources

Why we love using them……Why we love using them……

Really motivating for the learnerReally motivating for the learner Interesting, topical and relevant for your specific learners Interesting, topical and relevant for your specific learners

(excellent for EAP classes)(excellent for EAP classes) Empowers learners. Makes them feel more autonomousEmpowers learners. Makes them feel more autonomous Exposes learners to how language is, not how language Exposes learners to how language is, not how language

“should be” “should be” Promotes a deeper cultural understanding Promotes a deeper cultural understanding The course book is outdated, irrelevant or very “dry”The course book is outdated, irrelevant or very “dry” It is a very creative process and gives the teacher It is a very creative process and gives the teacher

professional confidence and a new lease of life in the class professional confidence and a new lease of life in the class roomroom

The context of British Council New The context of British Council New AdvancedAdvanced

Aims and objectives of the course ……..Aims and objectives of the course ……..

help bridge the gap between the class room and the “real help bridge the gap between the class room and the “real world”world”

The course is …….The course is …….

based on real needs and interests of the students based on real needs and interests of the students

based on “can do” statements based on the ALTE based on “can do” statements based on the ALTE frameworkframework

What is an advanced learner?What is an advanced learner?

Can understand a wide range of demanding, Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devicesdevices

TopicsTopics

The mediaThe media EducationEducation Varieties of EnglishVarieties of English The cinemaThe cinema The futureThe future PoliticsPolitics Gender issuesGender issues The UKThe UK

Feedback from students and Feedback from students and teachersteachers

How do we exploit texts……?How do we exploit texts……?

Consider the following…….…..Consider the following…….…..

The students The students

The syllabus The syllabus

The text The text

The task The task

Look at some ideas for exploiting texts usingLook at some ideas for exploiting texts using

pre taskspre tasks

during tasksduring tasks

post taskspost tasks

Main task Main task

How could you exploit these two pieces of How could you exploit these two pieces of material considering all the factors so far….material considering all the factors so far….

A reading textA reading text

A listening text ( with a tape script)A listening text ( with a tape script)

Top tips for exploring authentic textsTop tips for exploring authentic texts

Choose a text that the students would find interesting or Choose a text that the students would find interesting or one which fits in well with your syllabusone which fits in well with your syllabus

Read the text and think about how you could help them Read the text and think about how you could help them comprehend the text. You need to think about how native comprehend the text. You need to think about how native speakers would approach the text naturally speakers would approach the text naturally

Notice language features within the text that you can focus Notice language features within the text that you can focus on with your learners on with your learners

Design activitiesDesign activities Do the lessonDo the lesson Adapt and develop itAdapt and develop it Start a bank of material that you can share with colleaguesStart a bank of material that you can share with colleagues

Good sources of authentic textsGood sources of authentic texts

bbc.co.uk bbc.co.uk youtube.comyoutube.com podcast.orgpodcast.org ananova.comananova.com empireonline.comempireonline.com