When using an authentic audio or video it is important to use only ‘native speakers'. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons.
I would agree partially. I believe for Beginners if you start with the authentic material and it is difficult for them to process it, they may lose interest. For Beginners, non-native or clear English with some parts that are more simple is a good place to start. For example, if I have students with no background in English and if I immediately ask them to watch an English movie or a series they will get back to me with the comment that it was all Greek to them. So then I ask them to watch their home news channels in English. Once they are able to get the gist of what is being said, I can then wean them off these temporary support material. For advanced learners, I feel authentic material just adds to what they already know. They can emulate the speech and know what phrases to use while speaking. The nuanced parts of speech can be learnt by advanced learners just by watching native speakers speak.
Hi Manoj, thanks for your comments. It's interesting that you equate 'authentic' with 'native'. (I think). I understand what you are saying about your students. We have to consider the best materials in each case. I recently used some very low level materials with children and the speakers on the audios were non-native, like them. They found it much easier to understand than an audio with native speakers. I think they found it motivating too. It's an interesting discussion.
ReplyDeleteI did read 'authentic' as 'native'. I feel if we talk about authenticity, it can be best brought about the regular speakers of the language as opposed to those who do it when put to the task.
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