“Authentic materials in education”
by Paulina Andruszkiewicz-Glińska
On the16th May 2022 (MONDAY) between 5 p.m. and 6.30 p.m, we had a webinar with Ms. Paulina Andruszkiewicz-Glińska again about authentic materials in education.
We usually have textbooks in our teaching but sometimes the content may be outdated because languages are changing and if the textbooks have not been updated for a long time, some of the content may not be suitable to teach and learn anymore. Also, authentic materials can make learning more meaningful. Students can learn the expressions that are used in the real world. What is more, different authentic materials have various purposes for students to learn. For example, real life pictures and instructions from different context are worth using because these materials are likely to be read for specific information and they are feasible to reach.While selecting materials, we should think about some aspects carefully. Considering the suitable age group is essential. Meanwhile, topics, skills, scaffolding, CLIL, value, usage and confidence can also be considered. There are a lot of them online. We, as teachers, can adapt them to our own materials. Some links were recommended by the presenter. And examples were shown, which provided us with fruitful thought about the use of authentic materials. There are actually uncountable ways to use them for different objectives and subjects. However, possible problems should be envisaged. For example, the materials may be too complicated for our students; the link may not work. In these cases, we have to think about lowering the level. We can paraphrase the vocabulary to the words that are easier for students. As for the link, the passage can be copied or screenshots can be taken to attempt to avoid potential problems.
Generally speaking, I am really impressed by the presentation. It reminded me of the first presentation as well. It was organised very well. The atmosphere was thought-provoking. I had the same idea before, but I was mostly thinking about texts. I had not had thought about using pictures as authentic materials before I had the webinar. Then, she was not speaking all the time, so we had time to explore and put the theory into practice in the end, which was quite intriguing, in that we understand the idea better and the idea of using the authentic materials could be reinforced.
In conclusion, We should try to be observant for the authentic materials. At the same time, being flexible in using them is important as well. Most significantly, so many helpful websites about materials were sent as a gift package, which makes our life easier in the teaching career.
Articles about authentic materials
● https://americanenglish.state.gov/resources/teachers-corner-teac
hing-authentic-materials
● https://www.actfl.org/resources/guiding-principles-language-learni
ng/authentic-texts
● https://www.calpro-online.org/documents/AuthenticMaterialsFinal.
pdf
● https://textinspector.com/using-authentic-materials-language-tea
ching/
● https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2014/05/16/authentic-material
s-classroom-advantages/
● https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/using-authentic-materi
als
● https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpsu27vnooU
● https://englishcoachonline.com/blog/advantages-of-using-authen
tic-materials/
● https://www.usingenglish.com/teachers/articles/advantages-disad
vantages-using-authentic-texts-in-class.html
My lesson ideas
● https://frompwithlove.pl/londynska-podroz-po-mapach/
● https://frompwithlove.pl/swiatecznie-dookola-swiata/● https://frompwithlove.pl/moje-ulubione-4-tematy-clilowe-w-klasach
-mlodszych/
Authentic listenings
● https://elllo.org/
● https://lyricstraining.com/
● https://www.ted.com/
● https://www.funkidslive.com/podcasts/
Podcasts for children
● https://frompwithlove.pl/angielskie-podcasty-dla-dzieci/
Authentic reading
● https://www.timeforkids.com/
● https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/
● https://www.sikids.com/
● https://rangerrick.org/magazines/
● http://www5.mississauga.ca/rec&parks/websites/getactive/pdfs/G
ottaMove-6-to-9-years.pdf
● https://magazinebis.com/kids
● https://fliphtml5.com/fwspv/vnjm/basic
English books for children
● https://frompwithlove.pl/darmowe-ksiazki-dla-dzieci-w-jezyku-angi
elskim/
Examples of authentic materials
● https://www.timeforkids.com/k1/houses/● https://www.boredpanda.com/bedrooms-around-world-my-room-p
roject-john-thackwray/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic
&utm_campaign=organic
● https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2015/oct/02/schools-ar
ound-the-world-un-world-teachers-day-in-pictures
● https://www.funkidslive.com/podcast/careers-guide-for-kids-jobs-e
xplained/
● https://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/a-day-in-the-life-of-people-
in-11-countries-around-the-world/
Genial.ly link to the presentation (my examples)
https://view.genial.ly/61157be000cbda0ddea30a6d/interactive-image-a-trip-arou
nd-the-worldfrom-p-with-love
Links from our webinar’s group work
Australia
1. https://www.activekidsgroup.com.au/child-care-sydney/bondi
-beach-childcare-centre/
2. https://australian.museum/visit/whats-on/kids-at-the-museu
m/
3. https://www.ozstudies.com/studying-in-australia/living-in-aus
tralia/transport-in-australia
Canada
1. https://www.wem.ca/directory
2. https://www.skisilverstar.com/lessons-programs/adventure-ca
mp/
3. https://ca.jollibeefoods.com/pages/nutritionScotland
1. https://www.visitscotland.com/holidays-breaks/family/outdoo
r-adventures-for-kids/
2. https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/stations-and-fac
ilities/shops-and-cafes-our-stations
3. www.dunrobincastle.co.uk
Ireland
1. https://www.dublinzoo.ie/your-visit/
2. https://www.schooldays.ie/articles/After-school-Activities
3. https://www.familyfun.ie/westgrove-hotel-kildare/
New Zealand
1. https://rainbowsend.co.nz/
2. https://www.farmers.co.nz/
3. https://www.newzealand.com/int/feature/haka/
Malta
1. https://agendabookshop.com/collections/picture-books-acti
vity-books-early-learning-material
2. http://www.maltasightseeing.com/
3. https://kids-box.online/?v=08ad08f64910
Thanks for your sharing about these really helpful links. I agree with you that we should not only pay attention to chose appropriate authentic materials for students, but also focus on how to use them flexibly in class. If the teacher always use different materials in same way, students will get bored. And also I think try to explore or create more new things for students is also helpful for their learning.
ReplyDelete