This research aims to find out whether there is any impact on performance when students read authentic materials beside the textbooks.
Students in Bangladesh often have difficulties in learning English as a foreign language for lack of appropriate learning materials in the classroom. Too often foreign language teaching texts in our country are designed either too difficult or too easy for students. Without appropriate texts that suit them, learners spend long hours in the classroom accomplishing very little in the long run. Most of them remain weak in reading, writing, listening and speaking in English properly even after receiving higher education. Students’ performance varies according to the type of materials given to them. A significant amount of research shows that there is something about the type of textbooks/materials that should be looked into and evaluated carefully so that necessary adaptation can be made for effective learning to take place. When learners are introduced to variety of materials, it is necessary to understand what impact they have on the learners.
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Introduction
1.1. English as a Foreign Language in Bangladesh
1.1.1. Evaluation of English Teaching and Learning in Bangladesh
1.1.2. Introduction of New Textbook
1.2. Identification of Problem
1.3. Hypothesis
1.4. Research Questions
1.5. Purpose
1.6. Rationale
1.7. Significance of the Study
Chapter Two: Literature Review
2.1. Authenticity
2.2. Types of Authenticity
2.3. Authentic Material
2.4. Background History
2.5. Examples of Authentic Material
2.6. The Role of Authentic Material in EFL Teaching and Learning
2.6.1. Arguments in Favor of Authentic Material
2.6.2. Arguments Against the Use of Authentic Materials
Chapter Three: Methodology
3.1. Data Collection
3.2. Participants
3.3. Rationale for Selecting Target Students
3.4. Experimental Classes
3.5. Questionnaires
3.6. Time Management
Chapter Four: Findings
4.1. Material Planning
4.1.1. Textbook Evaluation
4.1.2. Personal Material
4.2. Selection of Authentic Material
4.2.1. Materials Used in the Classroom
4.3. Teaching Grammar Points
4.4. Evaluation of the Students
Chapter Five: Data Analysis
5.1. Comparative Study on Two Tests
5.2. Speaking Skill
5.3. Analysis of the Questionnaires
Chapter Six: Conclusion
6.1. Impact of Authentic Materials on the Students
6.2. Teachers’ Opinion on the Use of Authentic Material
6.3. Problems in Introducing Authentic Material
6.4. Limitations
6.5. Conclusion
Objectives and Research Focus
The primary aim of this research is to investigate the potential impact of integrating authentic materials alongside standard government-issued textbooks on the language proficiency of students in Bangladesh. The study seeks to address the gap in traditional, exam-oriented language pedagogy by evaluating whether exposure to real-world language samples enhances communicative competence and student motivation.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of current government-prescribed English textbooks.
- Analyzing the role of authentic materials in improving the four basic language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
- Exploring the challenges and benefits of transitioning from textbook-dominated to diversified teaching materials.
- Assessing student and teacher attitudes toward the inclusion of non-traditional learning resources.
- Measuring the quantitative and qualitative performance changes in students after exposure to authentic materials.
Excerpt from the Book
(1.1) English as a Foreign Language in Bangladesh:
The popularization of English in this subcontinent was a result of the efforts made by Lord Macaulay (a British Governor General) in the early 19th Century. In fact, Lord Macaulay’s policy aimed at forming a class who might serve as interpreters between the British and the millions of subjects, a class of persons Indian in Blood and color, but English in taste, in opinions, in moral and in intellect (Aggarwal, 1983). Precisely speaking, the objectives were designed to serve the interest of the masters, not of the subjects.
But those days are gone now. There have been lots of political and socioeconomic changes so far. The partition of Bengal in 1905 and its unification in 1906, the creation of Pakistan in 1947 and finally the birth of Bangladesh in 1971 have all had their impacts on the attitudes and motivation of English learning. In Bangladesh, English has now assumed the status of a foreign language. It is considered as a stair of prosperity, a tool of acquiring knowledge, a means of establishing international relation and a sign of sophistication.
Though English in our country is taught as a compulsory subject in schools, colleges and madrashas from the primary to the tertiary level, it is a matter of sorrow that most of our people cannot speak or write English properly- even after receiving higher education. So we can perceive that there are some problems in the procedure of English language teaching and learning in our country.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter One: Introduction: This chapter contextualizes English as a foreign language in Bangladesh, identifies the problems with current textbook-centered methods, and presents the research hypothesis and significance.
Chapter Two: Literature Review: This section explores the theoretical definition of authenticity, types of authentic materials, and the ongoing debate regarding their implementation in EFL classrooms.
Chapter Three: Methodology: This chapter outlines the research design, including the use of both qualitative and quantitative instruments, participant selection, and the timeframe for the experimental study.
Chapter Four: Findings: The author details the material planning process, the evaluation of textbooks, the selection criteria for authentic materials, and the assessment methods used for students.
Chapter Five: Data Analysis: This chapter provides a comparative study of student performance through tests, observations of speaking skills, and the analysis of questionnaire responses from teachers and students.
Chapter Six: Conclusion: The final chapter discusses the impact of the experimental intervention, outlines challenges in implementation, addresses research limitations, and offers concluding thoughts on the future of English language teaching in Bangladesh.
Keywords
Authentic Material, EFL, English Language Teaching, Bangladesh, Communicative Competence, Textbook Evaluation, Student Motivation, Classroom Pedagogy, Language Acquisition, Learner Proficiency, Teaching Methodology, Grammar, Speaking Skills, Educational Reform, Second Language Learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
The work primarily examines the effectiveness of using authentic materials (non-textbook resources) to supplement traditional English instruction in Bangladeshi schools to improve language proficiency.
What are the primary themes discussed in the study?
Key themes include the limitations of textbook-only instruction, the role of motivation in second language acquisition, the definition and classification of authentic materials, and the challenges of teacher training in a developing educational context.
What is the main objective of the thesis?
The objective is to investigate whether exposing students to authentic materials outside of their regular textbooks leads to measurable improvements in reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The researcher used a descriptive research design combining quantitative data (from standardized tests and multiple-choice questionnaires) with qualitative data (from observational notes taken during experimental classes).
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body details the evaluation of existing NCTB textbooks, the development of supplemental authentic lesson plans, the execution of the experimental study in Landmark College, and the subsequent data analysis regarding student performance.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is best characterized by terms such as Authentic Material, EFL, Bangladesh, Communicative Competence, and Educational Pedagogy.
How did the researcher ensure that the authentic materials were culturally appropriate?
The author performed a screening process, excluding any content involving themes contradictory to the local culture and religion to prevent cultural shock while still providing meaningful language input.
What was the most significant finding regarding student motivation?
The research found that despite initial discomfort with non-traditional materials, students became significantly more enthusiastic and cooperative, as the use of authentic materials reduced the stress associated with exam-oriented learning.
- Citar trabajo
- Galib Shahriar (Autor), 2012, Foreign Language Teaching and Learning in Bangladesh. An Investigation on the impact of Authentic Material, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/341299
