Student-teachers' choice of authentic ELT materials for 'teaching practicum' course: a narrative investigation

Abstract

Authentic materials are printed messages, visual writings, and sound materials which understudies looked in their homerooms, for example, change-of address structures, employment forms, menus, phone message messages, radio projects, and recordings. In spite of the fact that these materials are not created to teach yet they might be magnificent learning devices for EFL learners to get the practical knowledge of the language usage. Besides, useful materials bring positive outcome for the educators as students can relate effectively with their lesson activities. However selection of such material is not easy and often consumes a lot of time. This paper examines how student-teachers during their teaching practicum course select useful authentic material, what are the factors influence them in the selection, and what and how they overcome the challenges which they face with the selected authentic materials. To conduct the research narrative inquiry method has been used where the participants shared their stories and the data obtained show the factors considered in authentic material selection, challenges with the material and how they have overcome those challenges.