Authentic Materials: Items not created or edited expressly for adult literacy learners (including non English speakers) - Nunan and Miller, 1995.
Authentic Materials:
- Real life images of the topics that are studied (photos, drawings, paintings, cultural items).
- Additional reading materials from real life situations: brochures, magazines, application forms, advertisement supplements, editorials, comics
- Props and equipment, such as globes, atlases, bus tickets, rulers and other manipulatives
- Audio podcasts
- Videos, ie. YouTube
- Interactive websites and virtual tours
- Social media, ie., Pinterest, Facebook
- Google or other search engines
When to use Authentic Materials:
- Beginning of unit: Activate prior knowledge and build vocabulary, gaining insight into the new subject to be studied
- Middle of unit: For reinforcement and building comprehension
- End of unit: For transferring new language and learning to real life situations and how the new knowledge is actually used, for interpretation and discussion, for immersion, for reflection on what the student still needs to know
Assembling Authentic Materials:
- Maintain a portfolio of materials
- Bookmark pertinent sites
- Using your cell phone camera, film videos or take images
Activities with Authentic Materials
- Consider the purpose for using the materials
- Regard the context in which you will you use the materials
- Predict how your student will interact with the material
- List what your student will learn or gain