{"id":3980,"date":"2013-05-01T11:00:51","date_gmt":"2013-05-01T11:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eltweekly.com\/elt-newsletter\/?p=3980"},"modified":"2013-05-01T11:00:51","modified_gmt":"2013-05-01T11:00:51","slug":"use-of-authentic-materials-in-elt-at-the-tertiary-level-in-engineering-colleges-some-approaches-and-experiments-by-r-nilavu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eltweekly.humbeestudio.xyz\/?p=3980","title":{"rendered":"‘Use of Authentic materials in ELT at the Tertiary level in Engineering colleges: Some approaches and experiments’ by R. Nilavu"},"content":{"rendered":"

Abstract<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

English language is a vital factor in one\u2019s career. The thirst for improvement and the impact for the language are developing in leaps and bounds particularly among the tertiary level students. English Language Teaching to such tertiary level students who are the speakers of other languages is the need of the hour. Students of Engineering colleges have to be trained for their professional career which includes making them highly communicative imbibing the four skills LSRW. At the same time, it is the prime duty of the teachers to give the students enough exposure on the current relevant events and enhance their language. The writer aims at achieving both at a single throw using authentic materials. Enough approaches have been made using articles, reports and news items from newspapers and magazines. The result is that the students found the class interesting, enlivening and entertaining at the same time paved way for language learning. The success of the methodology adopted is measured by the interest shown by the students.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key words:<\/b> ELT, authentic materials, engineering students, professional career, LSRW.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe mediocre teacher tells;<\/span><\/p>\n

The good teacher explains;<\/span><\/p>\n

The superior teacher demonstrates<\/span><\/p>\n

The great teacher inspires.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Introduction<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

This is an age where language is not only viewed and valued as a medium of communication but also as a tool to enhance one\u2019s capabilities. Further, the language has in fact become a means to gain social and economic power. In this era of globalisation and advent of many multinational companies, language plays a vital role in engineering professionals\u2019 achievement in multicultural environment. The students have to be equipped not only with the academic knowledge but also <\/b>make them highly versatile in usage of English. Thus they are empowered to meet the challenges in their professional environment. Therefore, the teaching learning process of English language is more than a mere academic activity. It is the teacher who has to innovate, interest and use novel methods and teaching aids to inspire and enlighten the students.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Teaching is to show or explain to someone how to do something; or give information about or instruction in a subject or a skill. Whatever be it the prime motive of every teacher is to make the learner understand what he\/she explains or teaches. Teaching English effectively to the speakers of other languages (TESOL) is also the need of the hour. The unparalleled spread and shift in teaching language in terms of teaching methods, curricula, and application of learning theories have made the teachers of English feel the need to incorporate diverse ideas into the teaching of the language. As far as the engineering students are concerned, the teachers have to train them language, communicative ability and practical language. Times are changing; so are methods. With the dawn of the up-to-the-minute technology, various methods such as CALL, CLT, ICT, Content Based Instruction, Communicative Activities and Games, Curriculum Development so on and so forth have been adopted. Language teaching hence should be teaching the present day challenges rather than perpetuating it. Grammar, syntax, vocabulary, phonetics and semantics are some of the embellishments of the language that should necessarily be used in proper proportion. One should not only read the rules of grammar, but also know the rules of using it. \u00a0One should learn the language naturally just as one learns the mother tongue. Here, materials chosen by the teacher remains fundamental and imperative.<\/span><\/p>\n

How important are teaching materials?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Teaching materials play a vital role in ELT. Text books, worksheets, videos, audios, pictures, internet, software and music are some of the diverse range of materials which teachers rely on. The main reason behind this is to support teaching and enhance the learning process of the students. In spite of the fact, tailor-made materials are available <\/b>in plenty and also <\/b>readily; the teacher decides on his\/her own source. S\/he continues to design her\/his own materials spending time on finding, selecting and making it. Especially, if the classroom has a mixed ability students, the teacher has to adopt a method that will suit their needs to understand\/comprehend the language. At this point in time, it is highly inevitable on the part of the teacher to design a suitable material to make teaching interesting and appropriate based on the lesson to be taught.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hypothesis<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Whenever the teacher designs the material, the focus should be on the curriculum and the syllabus. Only then, teaching becomes fruitful. The teachers\u2019 self-designed material bridges the gap that exists between the usual textbook to be taught and the learning objective of the curriculum. <\/i>\u00a0There are four main reasons why the teachers wish to produce their own material and they are contextualisation, individual needs, personalisation and timelines (Block, 1991), which the writer agrees.\u00a0 The reason behind adopting such methods is to integrate theory and practice in language teaching and this paper clearly elaborates on how authentic texts can be incorporated in ELT for the tertiary level students in engineering colleges.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are authentic materials?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

As cited Nunan (1989) by Musallam, \u201cany material which has not been specifically produced for the purpose of language teaching\u201d and Peacock (1997) by Alenjandro G. Martinez \u201cmaterial that has been produced to fulfil some special purpose in the language community\u201d defines authentic materials.<\/span><\/p>\n

Some of the sources of authentic materials are Newspapers, Magazines, Television, Internet and Radio. \u00a0(Miller, 2003) as cited in Authenticity in FL classroom. Hence TV commercials, Interviews, Audio lessons in Internet, News item, Weather forecasts, Advertisements, Statistical studies, Debates, Instructions for the use of equipment, Poems, Brochures, Recipes and so on fall under the category of\u00a0 authentic materials.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why Authentic materials for Engineering students?<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

As far as the Engineering students at the tertiary level are concerned, English text is only a pretext. A resourceful teacher can convert a newspaper, a story, an article in a magazine, an audio lesson downloaded from the net and even messages in the mobile phones as an effective aid to make the class appealing. It also helps the learner enhance the knowledge on current affairs as everything relates to the present time. As a teacher of English in an Engineering college, the writer aims at designing the lessons based on the syllabus but from authentic materials. The students are expected to have a very good exposure on the current events and varied forms of technical writing. It also becomes the prime notion to hone all the four skills \u2013 Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing of the to be professional graduates. The teacher should also not forget that the students who come to study engineering courses will be on the technical and scientific domain. The following are the reasons why they need communication skills:<\/span><\/p>\n