More on authentic materials

Richard's find of Sherman's chapter is a good job and a reminder that I forgot to mention Jane Sherman's book this morning!

If anyone is motivated to explore the 'authenticity' link further, there is also Mishan, F. (2003) Designing Authenticity into Language Learning Materials, Bristol: Intellect

If you can bear online reading of a whole book, this one is available via the library's ebook service. Select NetLibrary and search for the title.

Film, the broadcast media (TV),ICT, song, music all figure under a specific section entitled Using Cultural Products for Language Learning' . An extract from the broadcast media chapter:-)

Principles for the use of the broadcast media for language learning
• Counter passivity by listening/viewing with a purpose, requiring interactivity or
creating an information gap.
• Exploit original programme editing to determine excerpt length.
• Exploit the universality of broadcast genres: build on learners’ knowledge of
them for the study of both language and culture.
• View/listen in ways that are authentic to the medium and its genres: e.g. for gist,
for specific information.
• (With television) exploit the visual component of television e.g. non-verbal
communication, action and wordless sequences, the printed word on screen.
• Exploit all the multimedia features of television - audio, visual and Web site.

Further reading cited in the chapters though unfortunately not very wide ranging or recent. But if you are newer to video use and are looking for ideas, Stempleski and B. Tomalin 1990. Video in Action. Hemel Hemstead: Prentice Hall Group International is still a useful text if you can get hold of it.