This document summarizes a group project for an English teaching methods class. It discusses the concepts of authentic and simplified texts, as well as ways to integrate cultural aspects into English language textbooks. Specifically, it defines authentic and simplified texts, compares their advantages and disadvantages for language instruction, and provides examples of how to teach cultural topics like food, holidays, clothing, music, money, stories, and history. It also analyzes how culture is currently integrated in the Vietnamese 10th grade English textbook and suggests areas for further cultural integration in undergraduate versus higher-level study.

1. Hue University of Foreign Languages
Department of English
Text Authencity & Integrating aspects of
Culture in Textbooks ( Tieng Anh 10)
Instructor: Truong Vien
Group: 08 – Method 2
Member names:
Ho Van Ket – Do Thi Dieu My – Dao Thi Phuong – Tran
Thi Bich Tram – Nguyen Ha Trang – Phan Thi Le Na –
Bui Anh An – Vo Thi Tuyet Anh – Pham Duy Tan

2. CONTENT
1) What is authencity ?
Authentic Text ?
Simplified Text ?
2) Authencity vs simplification: differences and examples.
3) Advantages & Disadvantages of authentic/simplified texts in
language instructions.
4) Integrating aspects of culture:
+ Definition of Culture
+ Ways of teaching culture
+ Tips to teach culture
+ Integrating culture in textbooks (T.Anh 10)

3. Just for fun

4. Why did Savannakhet find it difficult
to translate his favourite song?

5. “The language
produced by native
speakers for native
speakers in a particular
language community”
(Gilmore, 2007: 98)
Definition of AUTHENTICITY
Ket & Dieu My

6. “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, 1977: 13)
What is an authentic text?

12. Simensen (1987) said that simplified texts
are texts written to illustrate a specific
language feature.
Simplified text

15. Differences between
&

16. Language data
produced for real life
communication
purposes.
They may contain false
starts, and incomplete
sentences.
They are useful for
improving the
communicative aspects
of the language.
Complex language
construction
Authenticity
They are specially
designed for learning
purposes.
The language used in
them is artificial. They
contain well formed
sentences all the time.
They are useful for
teaching grammar.
Simple language
construction
Simplification

17. Advantages and disadvantages of authentic
and simplified texts in language instruction

18. Advantages and disadvantages of authentic texts
in language instruction
+ “Real”
=> more interesting and motivating
=> It’s what students will have to cope with eventually
=> give higher-level students exposure to unregulated
native-speaker language
=> Guide learners toward the language they need for
their particular context
=> Motivate learners to communicate, because they
help make communication ‘real’
=> Help prepare learners for the ‘real’ world of
communication
=> Provide examples of language as it is really used.
+ There is more stuff for teachers to choose from
+ Authentic texts can be quick and easy to find
+ Authentic texts can be up to date and topical
+ It's probably idiosyncratic
+ Contain more unfamiliar
language
+ The vocabulary is not graded
+ The grammar is not graded
+ Authentic texts are usually
too high level
+ The texts are often too long,
dense or complex.
Advantages Disadvantages

19. + The grammar and vocabulary are
graded
+ The length of text can be controlled
+ Words and grammars which are too
unfamiliar and useless can be changed.
+ The texts can be easier to understand
and cope with
+ Simplified texts fit in with students at
any level.
Advantages and disadvantages of simplified texts in
language instruction
+ lack ‘naturalness and
spontaneity’.
+ it takes time to simplify text.
+ Can’t prepare learners for
“real” language
+ Less motivating and
interesting.
Advantages Disadvantages

20. Ha Trang

21. Culture is the characteristics and
knowledge of a particular group of
people, defined by everything from
language, religion, cuisine, social habits,
music and arts….
(Alina Bradford)

23. HOW TO TEACH
CULTURE ?

24. FOOD - inviting students to talk about food.
- sharing typical dishes in their countries
Ha Trang

25. Anh An

28. HOLIDAYS & CELEBRATIONS
Ha Trang

29. Anh An

32. CLOTHING
+ invite your students to wear traditional clothing
+bring picture of themselves or others in traditional
dress
Ha Trang

33. MUSIC
play some popular music from our country for the class.
Le Na

34. Anh An

37. MONEY sharing stories about what is important
enough to put on the country’s currency

39. STORIES
Traditional stories bring culture and
history into the classroom
Le Na

40. Anh An

41. HISTORY History will either establish or define that
culture’s values
LE NA

42. FAMILY
families hold certain values that they pass
on to their children
LE NA

46. Tuyet Anh

49. Tuyet Anh

53. Tuyet Anh

54. Integrating Culture in textbooks
(Tieng Anh 10)
Duy Tan

55. Duy Tan

56. WHERE IS CULTURE ??????

57. PRIMARY ( Main ) SECONDARY ( Some)

58. What is Unit 1 talking about ?
Is Family Life in each culture the same ?
Duy Tan

59. Which Culture ??? VIET NAM

61. L1 Culture : Viet Nam
( Culture of learners)
L2 Culture: Culture from
other countries
Duy Tan

62. Another Example
Culture from Other Countries ( L2 Culture)

63. A comparison between Singapore
culture & Vietnamese culture

64. Undergraduate Study:
_ Just recognize which culture has been integrated
DON’T NEED TO:
_ Know what kinds of culture should be
integrated
_ How to integrate culture in textbooks
Higher Study
Duy Tan