This module jumped out to me. Since I have been at ISU and in C&I courses all I have heard is authentic material, authentic material, authentic material! When I was tutoring for C&I 209 my teacher constantly discussed authentic material and I planned many of my lessons using pictures, web pages, and books (not the textbook). I wanted to explore authentic materials for English Language Learners to see if the objective for ELLs was any different than non-native speakers. From this video I can conclude it is not. Authentic material is important for all students, everyone needs to build their language. The video showed several ways to use different types of authentic materials in the classroom. The only thing to remember for ELLs is to pick materials that are at their level or a little higher, but not too hard. Authentic material provides the learner with real language and language that is used in the target culture. It is interesting and also can provide a lot of information.
As a future elementary teacher it is important for me to remember authentic materials, especially for my ELLs. If I want my ELLs to speak the target language the best way for me to help them is by providing books that use the language they hear and are surrounded by. It is also important for me to remember authentic materials are not just different kinds of printed books but magazines, newspapers, and even the internet. Some of my students may not have access to the internet or even know what it is, it would be a great tool to enhance their knowledge of technology but also teach them different types of language and avenues for them to find information. The internet is also a good tool for addressing different modalities in my classroom and the different levels of ELLs. There is so much out there at the click of a mouse!
I did not watch this video clip, but it sounds interesting. I too have learned that using authentic materials and "little texts" as well as the "big text" is extremely important. They definitely help spice up the information being taught. The textbook tends to get boring, but having authentic materials, such as magazines, other books, and internet information, like you mentioned, not only makes class more interesting but also more educational and useful. Our students are also people of this world and need to learn how to read, use, etc. the material in it if they want to be successful in life.
ReplyDeleteI think authenticity in the classroom has been shoved down our throat since entering college. In all honesty I think authentic materials are a good idea, however I don't think every lesson requires something authentic. In an ideal classroom teachers would have unlimited options and materials to facilitate learning, but we will work with what we have. I think it's good to keep in mind and apply what we've learned when possible, but not a necessity.
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