Authenticity in Language Learning

A. The Historical background

 Precedents for authenticity in language learning

1. ‘Communicative’ approaches - this meant a reorientation of former teaching priorities; the
teaching of communication via language, not the teaching of language via communication.
2. Materials-focused approaches - The best context for learners to establish and strengthen the
correct associations between words, their contexts and their meanings.
3. Humanistic approaches - a gradual shift of preoccupation in the field from teaching to learning
and thence to the learner. This changes reflect the recognition that it is the learner who stands
at the centre of - and ultimately controls - the learning process.

B. Definitions
 Authenticity of Texts
o ‘An authentic text is a stretch of real language, produced by a real speaker or writer
for a real audience and designed to convey a real message of some sort’ (Morrow,1977).
o Authenticity means that nothing of the original text is changed and also that its
presentation and layout are retained (Grellet, 1981).
o A text can only be truly authentic [...] in the context for which it was originally written’
(Hutchinson & Waters,1987)
o “spoken or written language data that has been produced in the course of genuine
communication, and not specifically written for the purposes of language teaching” (Nunan,
1999)
 Authenticity of language use
o Authenticity is a characteristic of the relationship between the passage and the reader and
it has to do with appropriate response’ (Widdowson,1978).
o Authenticity is not brought into the classroom with the materials or the lesson plan, rather,
it is a goal that teacher and students have to work towards, consciously and constantly[...]
(Van Lier, 1996)

 Authenticity by Breen (1985)

1. Authenticity of the texts which we may use as input data for our students.
2. Authenticity of the learner’s own interpretations of such texts.
3. Authenticity of tasks conducive to language learning.
4. Authenticity of the actual social situation of the language classroom.

C. ‘Criteria for Authenticity'

Authenticity is a factor of the:
1. Provenance and authorship of the text.
2. Original communicative and socio-cultural purpose of the text.
3. Original context (e.g. its source, socio-cultural context) of the text.
4. Learning activity engendered by the text.
5. Learners’ perceptions of and attitudes to, the text and the activity pertaining to it

Theory for INDEPENDENT STUDY: Krashen's Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him..
Proverbs 30:5

Southeastern College of Padada | Rachelyn P. Montejo 1