Journal archive

Abstract: The article defines and describes authentic materials produced for real communication and aimed at communicating meaning and information rather than teaching language, and it outlines benefits and challenges associated with their usage. Regardless of possible challenges, classroom use of carefully selected authentic materials can significantly enrich English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching and learning. The paper encourages teachers to continue seeking, selecting, and using authentic materials that have local relevance being an ideal source of comprehensible input for stimulating output from EFL learners. It should be emphasized that when one selects authentic materials, they should try to match subjects, topics, and themes to the students’ realities. Then, the paper offers suggestions for selecting and finding locally relevant authentic materials, and for planning activities appropriate for use with these materials. Much attention is given to raising the students’ levels of cultural pride and therefore their self-esteem. This makes it possible for the students to realize that their local culture exists far beyond their local context.