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:
The use of authentic materials can be of great value when teaching students. More often than not
one might chose an article from a magazine or newspaper, and at times an extract from a book.
Because these are written for native speakers, they use a much richer vocabulary than texts that
you find in English language teaching textbooks. These latter tend to be rather bland and the
subjects are often frankly uninteresting: facts and stories that you would not stop to read if you
were flipping through a magazine. On the other-hand when using authentic materials one can pick
subjects that are more suited to one’s students. These could be about music, politics, travel,
photography, food and wine. In fact, a myriad of subjects which will stimulate the students’
interest and perhaps supply knowledge (not just new vocabulary) which they might retain for a
long time and even talk about with friends outside of the classroom. When reading or watching
authentic materials outside of the classroom the student has to sometimes use his or her cultural
experience to interpret meaning (gist) and new vocabulary, in itself a valuable experience, but
strengthened when undertaken in a classroom setting with support from the teacher and fellow
students.
b) Reasons for the selection of this text and the 12 vocabulary items. Rationale for changes to
text, if applicable.
I chose this text because the topic is one that affects us all, and I think this has been a year in
which the effects of climate change have really made themselves felt throughout the world. ) Boris
Johnson is also a controversial figure (most people have an opinion of him) and so what he says is
always widely reported, even outside of the UK. I think students of English would appreciate
getting to grips with a speech such as this. Boris Johnson is also known for his love of high-brow
rhetoric interspersed with more down to earth vocabulary. My choice of the 12 vocabulary items is
a good mix of words commonly used among English speakers, yet graded at B2 and C1 levels, and
well- known phrases, such as setting the tone, missing the cue. The exercises are designed to
reinforce their significance, and introduce synonyms as well.
© 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:
The use of authentic materials can be of great value when teaching students. More often than not
one might chose an article from a magazine or newspaper, and at times an extract from a book.
Because these are written for native speakers, they use a much richer vocabulary than texts that
you find in English language teaching textbooks. These latter tend to be rather bland and the
subjects are often frankly uninteresting: facts and stories that you would not stop to read if you
were flipping through a magazine. On the other-hand when using authentic materials one can pick
subjects that are more suited to one’s students. These could be about music, politics, travel,
photography, food and wine. In fact, a myriad of subjects which will stimulate the students’
interest and perhaps supply knowledge (not just new vocabulary) which they might retain for a
long time and even talk about with friends outside of the classroom. When reading or watching
authentic materials outside of the classroom the student has to sometimes use his or her cultural
experience to interpret meaning (gist) and new vocabulary, in itself a valuable experience, but
strengthened when undertaken in a classroom setting with support from the teacher and fellow
students.
b) Reasons for the selection of this text and the 12 vocabulary items. Rationale for changes to
text, if applicable.
I chose this text because the topic is one that affects us all, and I think this has been a year in
which the effects of climate change have really made themselves felt throughout the world. ) Boris
Johnson is also a controversial figure (most people have an opinion of him) and so what he says is
always widely reported, even outside of the UK. I think students of English would appreciate
getting to grips with a speech such as this. Boris Johnson is also known for his love of high-brow
rhetoric interspersed with more down to earth vocabulary. My choice of the 12 vocabulary items is
a good mix of words commonly used among English speakers, yet graded at B2 and C1 levels, and
well- known phrases, such as setting the tone, missing the cue. The exercises are designed to
reinforce their significance, and introduce synonyms as well.
© 2020 The TEFL Academy. All rights reserved. 1
