Authentic Texts in WL Instruction

1. Authentic Texts in
World Language
Instruction
Explore the benefits, types, and strategies for
incorporating authentic texts in the classroom.

2. What are authentic texts?
Authentic texts are "…written by members of a
language and culture group for members of the same
group" (Galloway, 1998, as cited in Glisan).
ACTFL (2023)

3. Why use authentic texts?
• Real-Life Language: Authentic materials reflect language as it's used in daily life.
• Enhanced Engagement: They make learning more interesting and engaging
for students.
• Cultural Insights: Authentic materials provide a window into the target
culture and its perspectives.
• Input for Acquisition: The rich language in these materials offers
vital input for language learners.

4. Benefits of Using Authentic Texts
1 Real-world Contexts
Expose students to language as it is used
in real-world contexts, enhancing their
communication skills outside class.
2 Cultural Awareness
Authentic texts provide a window into the
culture, customs, and traditions of the
target language.
3 Intrinsic Motivation
Engage and motivate learners by
connecting language learning to their
personal interests and experiences.
4 Language Variation
Expose students to different registers,
dialects, and variations of the target
language.

5. Types of Authentic Texts
Print Media
Articles, news reports, and editorials
from newspapers and magazines.
Multimedia
Films, TV shows, podcasts, and videos
in the target language.
Visuals
Photographs, infographics, maps, and
advertisements.
Authentic Materials
Brochures, menus, recipes, and product labels.

6. Selecting Appropriate Authentic Texts
Relevance & Authenticity
Choose texts that align with students'
interests, showcase current, authentic
language, and relate to real-life situations.
Language Level & Challenge
Consider the linguistic complexity and
difficulty level of the text to ensure it matches
the proficiency of your students.
Cultural Representation
Select texts that accurately represent the
culture, values, and perspectives of the target
language community.
Diverse Topics & Genres
Offer a wide range of texts from various
genres and topics to cater to different
interests and learning styles.

7. How do I do this?
To help students comprehend the texts they read, it's important to choose ones that are context-
appropriate, age-appropriate, and matched to the students' linguistic level, with scaffolding if
needed.
Additionally, tasks should be tailored to the student's proficiency level, allowing them to use
background knowledge, contextual cues, and interpretive strategies, often drawing from their first
language.
While comprehension tasks can occasionally be done in the learners' first language to demonstrate
comprehension, this should be limited, as the purpose of interpretive tasks is to assess their ability
to handle new language in authentic texts. Avoid glossing or translating new words and
expressions, as these strategies are not readily available in real-world situations.
Feedback is crucial, giving students an opportunity to analyze their interpretation of the text and
evaluate the effectiveness of their strategies. This process involves examining the evidence used
to draw conclusions or verify inferences.
ACTFL (2023)

8. Strategies for Using Authentic
Texts in the Classroom
1 Pre-reading Activities
Activate prior knowledge, introduce vocabulary, and set goals to prepare
students for the text.
2 During Reading Tasks
Encourage active reading through comprehension questions, annotations, or
discussions.
3 Post-reading Reflections
Promote critical thinking and reflection with reflection journals, debates, and
cultural comparisons.

9. References
Use authentic texts. (2023, August 9). ACTFL. https://www.actfl.org/educator-resources/guiding-
principles-for-language-learning/use-authentic-texts