AUTHENTIC TEXTS IN TEACHING READING: BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN CLASSROOM LEARNING AND REAL-WORLD LITERACY
##semicolon##
Authentic texts, reading pedagogy, literacy development, L2 acquisition, critical literacy, scaffolding##article.abstract##
The main objective of this article is to highlight the importance and
efficiency of authentic texts in teaching reading across diverse learner contexts.
Authentic texts—materials created for genuine communicative purposes (e.g.,
newspapers, blogs, advertisements)—offer unmodified linguistic and cultural input,
fostering engagement, critical thinking, and pragmatic competence. Having seen a
systematic review of 30 empirical studies (2010–2024), we demonstrate that authentic
texts significantly enhance motivation, cultural awareness, and real-world literacy
skills compared to traditional pedagogical materials. Challenges include lexical
complexity and scaffolding demands, yet these are addressable through strategic task
design. We argue for the structured integration of authentic texts into reading curricula
to prepare learners for functional literacy demands. In this article, the concept of
authentic texts is explained. Form 10 students are chosen as a sample population of
this study and most students are inclined to understand authentic texts as reading
passages easily and efficiently developing cultural awareness and motivation to further
studying. The result of this study is expected to help teachers to teach reading using
new teaching strategies which encourages their students to learn more and enhance
their reading proficiency.
##submission.citations##
1.
Al Azri, R. H., & Al-Rashdi, M. H. (2014). The effect of using authentic
materials in teaching. *International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research*,
*3*(10), 249–254.
2.
Berardo, S. A. (2006). The use of authentic materials in the teaching of reading.
*The Reading Matrix*, *6*(2), 60–69.
3.
Byrnes, H. (2023). Toward a model of multiliterate reading development.
*Modern Language Journal*, *107*(S1), 17–36.
4.
Gilmore, A. (2007). Authentic materials and authenticity in foreign language
learning. *Language Teaching*, *40*(2), 97–118.
5.
Guariento, W., & Morley, J. (2001). Text and task authenticity in the EFL
classroom. *ELT Journal*, *55*(4), 347–353.
6.
Krashen, S. (1985). *The Input Hypothesis: Issues and Implications*. Longman.
7.
Peacock, M. (1997). The effect of authentic materials on the motivation of EFL
learners. *ELT Journal*, *51*(2), 144–156.
8.
Wallace, C. (2013). *Critical Reading in Language Education*. Palgrave
Macmillan.
9.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/
10. BBC Learning English (https://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish)
11. English 10th grade
