Authentic ELT Materials in the Language Classroom: An Overview

Abstract

The importance of materials in language teaching and learning has been extensively acknowledged (McGrath, 2013). Teaching materials are a key instrument in most language courses. Language teaching throughout the world today could not be more successful without the extensive use of commercial materials (Richards, 2001). This paper gives an overview about material design and the use of authentic materials in the English as a second/foreign language classroom and their significance for language learners. It also looks for the sustaining theories which support the efforts in developing culture sensitive ELT materials in a view to improving classroom teaching. Recently, the necessity of culturally acceptable authentic material has been felt more intensely. It is found from this study that authentic and culturally appropriate materials play a vital role in teaching a foreign/second language. They enrich the traditional lessons and can be very interesting to the learners.