A Critical Look at the Concept of Authenticity.

Autor/inn/en	Shomoossi, Nematullah; Ketabi, Saeed
Titel	A Critical Look at the Concept of Authenticity.
Quelle	In: Electronic journal of foreign language teaching, 4 (2007) 1, S. 149-155 PDF als Volltext kostenfreie Datei Link als defekt meldenVerfügbarkeit
Beigaben	Anmerkungen 1; Literaturangaben
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0219-9874
Schlagwörter	Fremdsprachenunterricht; Authentizität; Kritik
Abstract	This article is intended to briefly overview the concept of authenticity which cannot be defined similarly for all contexts, as we confront various contexts around the world, each with their unique characteristics. In other words, authenticity is a relative concept, materialized within each context with the interaction of its participants. Also, following Chavez' (1998) comments, authenticity cannot be defined as anything really existing in the outside world because any text taken out of its original context and away from its intended audience automatically becomes less authentic. Learners' proficiency levels and their positive attitudes towards the text are other aspects in this regard. Authentic materials require at least two features: communicative potential and relevance. The binary division of authenticity is no longer relevant and efficient; rather, it is to be considered in relation to the context where the material is used. Therefore, literature on authenticity suggests that authenticity is subject to pragmatic variation which cannot be defined in a vacuum and that its defining characteristics lie in the context. This argument has implications for teacher education and material development because of the changing situation of ELT practice around the world. The final conclusion is that the notion of authenticity within the global context must be considered in the light of the pragmatic appropriateness of the materials used and the interaction tasks set in relation to learners' needs and interests. The knowledgeable teacher is the nexus for empowering materials and tasks that are 'authentic' for their specific groups of learners. (Verlag).
Erfasst von	Informationszentrum für Fremdsprachenforschung, Marburg
Update	2022/3