The Effect of Using Authentic Materials on Iranian EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Learning

Abstract

Vocabulary learning is one of the most important aspects of second language learning. One controversial way of teaching vocabulary is using authentic materials. The current study focused on teaching vocabulary using authentic materials and its influence on learners' vocabulary achievement. To this end, a population of 80 female Iranian EFL learners aged 17 to 20 from an institute in Bushehr were selected. All of them received Oxford Proficiency Test (OPT). Following the administration of OPT, those whose scores ranged between 105 and 119 (elementary level) were chosen for the purpose of the study. After the OPT only 66 participants were left for both experimental and control groups. Both groups received a pretest at the first session. After that the participants attended the English classes 3 times a week for a month. Every session took one hour. The control group received new vocabularies through their textbook (English Result) in each session and the experimental group received the same vocabularies through The New Straits Time online paper in each session. The students were asked to read and talked about the topics. After a month post-tests were run among all of the participants in both control and experimental groups. The analysis of data showed that the vocabulary knowledge of the participants developed in both groups but the experimental group significantly outperformed the control group.

Authentic Video Materials, a Tool for Vocabulary Learning and Global Citizenship Skills Reflection

“…Other studies have also reported learning gains in listening skills development (Ghaderpanahi (2012), Kraiova and Tsybaniuk (2015). Although other studies such as Ghanbari, Esmaili and Rezam's (2015) have unveiled some of the benefits of authentic materials in vocabulary learning, no study was found that approached vocabulary learning following the concept of involvement as proposed in this study.…”

The Effect of Authentic Materials on Writing Performance across Different Levels of Proficiency

“…With the advance of technology, web-based materials are becoming more and more common to use for classroom teaching. Research has shown that authentic materials benefit language learning (Fabusuyi, 2014;Al Azri & Al-Rashdi, 2014;Ghanbari et al, 2015). Yet, research that focuses on the use of the type of authentic materials for teaching writing in a foreign language context is not much informed.…”

“…In Appley's (1988) study, the finding reveals that the students who were taught by authentic literature (short stories, plays, and poetry) have the same reading ability as students who were taught by using non-fiction material. Previous research also revealed that authentic material is beneficial to improve the students' listening skills (Otte, 2006) and to increase vocabulary (Ghanbari, Esmaili & Shamsaddini, 2015). Fabusuyi (2014) also conducted research that focused on the use of folklore for teaching German.…”

The Effect of Literature As Authentic Materials for Writing Essays in A Blended Learning Setting

“…Research to date has shown that the use of authentic materials is beneficial for students' ability in learning foreign language skills. In general, authentic materials are effective to improve learners' listening comprehension (Ghaderpanahi, Research also has shown that authentic materials are beneficial to improve reading comprehension (Marzban & Davaji, 2015), reading motivation (Lin, 2004), vocabulary learning (N. Ghanbari et al, 2015), and learners' integrated skills, such as reading and writing (Drolet, 2010).…”