Authentic Reading Experience

and Authentic Text

• What is an authentic reading
experience?

• What is the difference between an

authentic text and an authentic
experience?

• How can you select or create reading

materials that will provide your
students with an authentic reading
experience?
 What is an authentic text?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVSd4cPUX
Bk
 Definition of authentic text
“Authentic texts (either written or
spoken) are those which are
designed for native speakers;
they are real texts designed not
for language students, but for the
speakers of the language in
question” (Harmer, 1983).
“A rule of thumb for authentic
here is any material which has
not been specifically produced for
the purposes of language
teaching” (Nunan, 1989).
“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, 1997).
Claims made about authentic
texts
– They are interesting.

– They are written for a “real” audience.

– They motivate students.

– They prepare students better for the

“real” world outside of the classroom.
 Pair work: Discussing
Authenticity
• Written for native speakers =
“Authentic”

• Written for language learners =

“Inauthentic”
 Another understanding of
authenticity
(Breen, 1985)
Four types of authenticity:
1. Authenticity of the texts which we may use as
input data for our learners.
2. Authenticity of the learners’ own interpretation
of such texts.
3. Authenticity of the tasks conducive to language
learning.
4. Authenticity of the actual social situation of the
language classroom.
 Another understanding of
authenticity
Grabe 2009 and Widdowson 1998, 2000
• Not at all clear what an authentic text is and who
has the right to make that decision
• Taking any text into a classroom and using it for
pedagogical goals removes the context
assumed by the writer, rendering the text
nonauthentic
• Goal should be to select texts that are enjoyable,
interesting, and attractive, rather than imposing
an unsupported ‘authenticity’ argument on text
selection choices for students
 Authentic Text vs. Authentic
Reading Experience
• Authentic Reading Experience = Same
purposes, processes and reactions as when
reading in first language
– Read to feel
– Read to learn
– Read to experience another reality
• Without adequate comprehension, no authentic
experience possible
• Learners need authentic experience at each
level of proficiency to maintain motivation and
build fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary
Which of the following is NOT an example of
an authentic reading experience?

a. Reading a book for pleasure

b. Reading an article in order to practice

strategies to guess meaning from context

c. Reading a textbook chapter in preparation

for a test on the content.
 Conclusion
• Aim for an authentic reading experience at
all levels of proficiency

• Evaluate texts and exercises to check

potential for an authentic reading
experience

• Create (and publish!) your own simplified

texts using principled standards
 Discussion Time

Each of the students describe a situation in

which Authentic Text concept is evidenced.

Share your findings with your partners.