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DISSERTATION
ANGLO-MEXICAN FOUNDATION/COLLEGE OF
ST MARK AND ST JOHN

Exploring the use of authentic materials with young adult learners focused to learn vocabulary.

Dissertation submitted in part-fulfilment of the requirements for the University of Exeter B.Ed for Serving Teachers (Hons) English Language Teaching

Beatriz Díaz de Contreras
September 2003
BA/Bed Honours (Exon.)

Abstract

Although I have always liked to use authentic materials in class, I had never had the opportunity to make a survey and find out if there were real benefits in the ESL classroom. This research was aimed to find out how learners accept authentic materials and the benefits obtained in their learning process. The results of the investigation allowed me to observe how meaningful the activities were, as well as how motivated the students felt in their learning process.

Firstly, I define what I mean by authentic materials. Secondly, I describe some types of authentic materials: printed materials, videos and Internet. Thirdly, I focus on newspaper advertisements and Internet activities mentioning some of their advantages and disadvantages based on the data collected on my research. I also give some reasons why I think it is useful and meaningful for learners to learn with activities designed with this type of materials. Finally, I describe in detail my research and report my findings.

I provide the data gathered in the survey and discuss some findings on how young adult learners learn vocabulary with authentic materials; the materials used for the investigation were newspaper advertisements and Internet.

The students that participated in the research were young adult learners from the Iberoamericana University, a private university in Puebla, México, with an upper intermediate English level.

I certify that all material in this dissertation, which is not my own work has been identified and that no material is included for which a degree has



Bibliography: Allen, V. F. (1983) Techniques in Teaching Vocabulary. New York: Oxford UP Brophy, J Brown, H. Douglas (1987) Principles of Language Learning and Teaching . Prentice Hall Regents Burt, M Case, D. (1983) Using the real thing. In Holden, S. (Ed) 2nd Selections from MET. Harlow: Longman Chandler, C Claxton et al (1996) Implicit theories of learning. in Liberating the Learner: Lessons for Professional Development in Education, Routledge: London, pp .. Claxton, G. (1999) Wise up: The Challenge of Lifelong Learning. London: Bloomsbury Cummins, J in Nixon, S. J. Schierloh, N. Padak (2001) Teacher to Teacher: Using the Newspaper to Teach ESL Learners. (online) Available from: http://literacy.kent.edu/Oasis/Pubs/0300-4.htm de Roche, N (1983) Using the Newspaper in the Bilingual Classroom (online) Available from: http://www.ncela.gwu.edu/miscpubs/jeilms/vol15/usingthenews.htm Accessed on 25 Nov. 2002 Dumitrescu, V Available from http://exchanges.state.gov/forum/vols/vol38/no2/p20.htm Accessed on July 18, 2003 Ellis, G. & Sinclair, B. (1989) Learning to Learn English: A Course in Learner Training. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Essberger, J Eyesenck and Keane (1995); Eisner (1991) In Moon, J. (1999) Reflection in Learning & Professional Development. London:Kogan Page Furmanosvsky, M Gairns, R. & S. Redman (1986) Working with Words. A learning guide to teaching and learning vocabulary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press Galbraith, J Gardner, R. (1985) Social Psychology and Second Language Learning: The Role of Attitudes and Motivation. London: Edward Arnold in Lightbown, P. & Nina Spada (1993) How Languages are Learned. Oxford: Oxford University Press Gass, S Gliksman et al. (1982) Guide to Economic Appraisal of Development Projects. New York: Basic Books Grundy, P Hanson-Smith, E. (1997) Technology in the Classroom: Practice and Promise in the 21st Century. The TESOL Task Force on Technology in the Classroom (online) Available from: http://www.tesol.org/pubs/catalog/downloadable/hanson-smith-1.html Accessed on 20 Nov. 2002 Harmer, J Hart, N. (2001) Intra-Group Autonomy and Authentic Materials: a different approach to ELT Japanese colleges and universities. (online) Available from: http://mywebpage.netscape.com/hartnicolaas/Autonomy.html Accessed on 11 Sept. 2003 Helgesen, M Hopper, B. (2002) Multiple Intelligence Theory, Teaching and Learning. Fourth Plenary IATEFL Fourth Conference Research & Teacher Development SIES. Newsletter June 2000. Kelly, C. et al (2002) Effective Ways to Use Authentic Materials with ESL/EFL Students. The Internet TESL Journal, Vol. VIII, No. 11, November 2002 (online) Available from: http://iteslj.org/Techniques/Kelly-Authentic.html Accessed on 11Sept. 2003 Knowles, M Krashen, S.D. (1982) Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition. Oxford: Pergamon Press Lawrence et al (1987) in Smith, A

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