How can you incorporate authentic materials into your English language teaching?

I love using authentic materials that meet my students' needs and interests, especially when they can follow up on their own when they have time. I find listening materials especially helpful, so students can hear a variety of voices, accents, and perspectives. Besides the value of listening comprehension, they're being exposed to relevant English vocabulary and grammar structures in context, enabling them to acquire some naturally while focusing on the meaning and ideas they are hearing.

One thing my TEFL class in Prague did was this: we went to the mall across the street and did an authentic material scavenger hunt. Students can use coupons from a grocery store where they have a budget to spend X amount of money for say a family of 3. They can also look at deals from the food court. If students can get a map of their city, they could also be a tour guide and recommend places to go.

Real-life contexts: Such as newspaper articles, magazines, brochures, menus, or advertisements. 2. Multimedia resources: Utilize videos, podcasts, and online articles to expose students to various accents, speech patterns, and writing styles. 3. Literature and novels: Introduce authentic literature and novels written by native English speakers. 4. Authentic conversations: Organize opportunities for students to engage in authentic conversations with native English speakers. 5. Real-world tasks: Design activities that simulate real-world tasks, such as writing emails, making phone calls, or participating in debates. 6. Online resources: Explore websites, blogs, and social media platforms that offer authentic English language content.

There are so many useful podcasts and videos on the Internet, but it's important to choose ones that are relevant and interesting to my students, as well as short enough that they can find time to listen, They can listen while they exercise, commute, or do certain chores, but for most a few minutes up to 20 minutes or so is best. It's worth taking the time to ask about their preferences and interests. For many of the advanced-English-level scientists I work with, short science podcasts and TED talks work very well. I know enough TED talks on various subjects that I can usually find several they will enjoy.

I don't need to adapt for many of my students. For those with less English, I select shorter podcasts or talks with more basic vocabulary. I also suggest they read captions or the script along with the talk-- since most of my students read English well, reduce the speed if necessary, and/or listen 2-3 times. Even for higher-level students, there is value in reading the transcript AFTER listening to check their understanding and to reinforce the vocabulary.

We often discuss their reactions to the podcast or talk they just listened to. If they need to practice writing in English, they might write their reactions instead. If the material included a grammar point or vocabulary they need work on, I'd add a mini-lesson and a practice worksheet or ask them to say something using the structure or words. We might also practice vocabulary with a crossword or even a dictation,

Incorporating authentic materials in ELA involves designing tasks that enable meaningful interaction with these resources. My approach includes various task types: pre-tasks activate background knowledge, setting the stage for new material; while-tasks focus on comprehension and analysis during interaction with the content; post-tasks encourage reflection and extension of the material; and follow-up tasks relate the learning to students' own experiences and interests. This method ensures comprehensive engagement with authentic materials, enhancing learners' understanding and application of ELA skills.

Evaluating and reflecting on the use of authentic materials in English language teaching is a multifaceted process. It involves employing various methods and tools to gauge effectiveness and impact. Observation allows educators to record learner behavior and performance, offering valuable insights into engagement. Questionnaires solicit learner opinions and perceptions, helping assess their experiences. Interviews delve deeper into learner experiences and outcomes through dialogue. Portfolios serve as tangible evidence of learner progress and accomplishments. Finally, journals enable educators to chronicle personal thoughts and practices, fostering self-awareness.

It's valuable to get students to reflect on what they learned and which materials and exercises were helpful-- or not. This could be either a short discussion or a short survey after the lesson.