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:

Authentic texts help students develop real-life communication skills by exposing

them to the language and culture of native speakers.
By using authentic texts, students can encounter idioms, slang, and colloquial
expressions that are not usually found in language textbooks,which promotes
language acquisition.
Authentic texts are often more interesting and engaging than texts created for
language learners, exposing students to the natural use of language. Using
authentic texts can also help students feel more confident in their ability to
communicate in English and to understand native speakers.
Authentic texts provide students with insights into the culture of native speakers.
They can learn about customs, traditions, and beliefs that are unique to the
language they are learning. All these can increase the student’s motivation to study
independently.

b) Reasons for the selection of this text and the 12 vocabulary items. Rationale for changes to
text, if applicable.

I have chosen this text as my authentic material because I believe it meets some
of the key criteria for the class of students presented in this assignment.
Firstly, the topic is one that I feel is relevant for the whole classroom - how
learning a language could change the way we think. Also, I believe this is a topic that
can branch out in interesting debates and activities in follow-up lessons, as I tried to
demonstrate in my activities.
The language level is slightly difficult and technical at times, but the fact that it is
in video format can provide additional context for the learners. It also presents a lot
of varieties of accents, which is helpful in developing listening skills.
The vocabulary items I selected for pre-teaching are the ones I believe are key for
understanding each paragraph. Although there may be more C2 graded vocabulary

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items, some of them are not so important in understanding the main idea of each
paragraph, and some of them can be deduced from context.

c) Why my activities are appropriate for this class:

I believe my activities are appropriate for this class because they provide a
challenge and they also promote diversity and encourage discussion. I tried to focus
on language production, since the main aim of a large part of the class was to
improve fluency.
My dictionary activity (“Same, opposite or different - Dictionary challenge”) can be
customised for the higher or lower level students and it encourages debate and
collaboration, being a group activity. It also engages critical thinking in analysing
vocabulary items. With this activity students can revise some of the vocabulary
items that were taught in the previous activity.
My research activity ( Language cultural diversity - “untranslatable words”) has a
structured part (the website suggestions and the categories), but also allows for
freer exploration, giving the students the option to investigate the subject further. I
believe the discussion questions and the topic are engaging and appropriate for the
class given. The topic also encourages discussions of cultural diversity and sharing of
personal opinions.
The last activity (“Writing skills practice: For and against essay”) focuses more on
accuracy in language production. Students are asked to write a for and against essay
using a clear structure on one of the topics provided. This activity will improve
fluency in writing and the students’ argumentative skills.

d) Advantages and disadvantages of using the internet as a resource for classroom teaching:
(You are not required to talk about teaching online)

Using the internet for classroom teaching has advantages and disadvantages.
On the positive side, the internet brings a wealth of information, enriching
lessons with up to date and diverse content. It enables students to connect globally,
fostering collaboration and cross-cultural understanding.
The flexibility and convenience it offers are beneficial, allowing teachers and
students to access resources at any time, whenever and wherever they want using
their electronic devices, thus making learning more accessible.
Some of the challenges are the reliability of online information, potential

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distractions, and unequal access to technology among students.
Additionally, other potential downsides are security issues and the risk of students
relying too heavily on online resources (only using Google translate for example).

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