Authentic activities in language learning: Bringing real world relevance to classroom activities

Ozvirer, I. and Herrington, J. (2011) Authentic activities in language learning: Bringing real world relevance to classroom activities. In: World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications (EDMEDIA) 2011, 27 June - 1 July 2011, Lisbon, Portugal.

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Abstract

Maintaining essential contextual conditions in TESOL classroom in order to achieve authenticity have been the target for many researchers. During this process, however, the difficulty and complexity of real life tasks have been disregarded. As a result, knowledge gathered at school through decontextualised school type activities often remains ‘inert’ and thus learners cannot transfer their knowledge in the target language to novel contexts. This paper argues that school-type tasks that do not mirror real life activities have negative effects on students’ developing robust knowledge, and suggests that the critical characteristics of authentic activities are the key to achieve authentic authenticity.