AUTHENTIC LANGUAGE INPUT FOR LANGUAGE LEARNING IN EFL/ESL CONTEXTS

Various teaching materials are considered to be essential components in language learning/learning at all levels. In the same line, various textbooks accompanied with audiovisual materials which have been prepared for language learning serve as the basis for much of the language input learners receive and the language practice that occurs in the classroom. However, various sources of audiovisual programs from different technologies also have the potential to provide the necessary language input for language learning in-and-outside the classroom setting. Various audiovisual programs are considered as sources of authentic language input if they contain genuine instances of language use as opposed to exemplars devised specifically for language teaching purposes. In view of this, the present paper was set to shed more light on the concept of authenticity of language input by considering the potential sources of authentic language input currently available in English as a foreign language (EFL) context and English as a second language (ESL) context. Moreover, it underscores the benefits of utilizing authentic language input in language learning classrooms.