The Use Of Authentic Materials In Reading Lesson: Students' Perceptions And Preferences

kebric, robert b; dr. syaadiah arifin, m.pd.; silih warni, ph.d.;

This research explores the use of authentic materials in the reading classroom with a focus on students' opinions and preferences. When compared to traditional textbooks, authentic materials - such as newspapers, journals and web articles, novels, comics, and other English language reading resources - are often considered to increase engagement and relevance. The purpose
of this study was to determine how these resources affect students' motivation, comprehension and general educational experience. Surveys and conversations with students who have used traditional and authentic resources in reading lessons were used to collect data. Findings showed that most students chose authentic materials because of their relevance to real-world situations, current content, and useful applications. As the real materials are
generally more in line with students' interests and daily experiences, they reported better levels of motivation and engagement when interacting with the materials. In addition, it has been found that authentic materials can enhance understanding by offering multiple viewpoints and context-rich language. However, the study also pointed out several difficulties in using real
materials. Students observed that real texts can be overwhelming due to their different degrees of difficulty, especially for those who are less proficient readers. The study concludes that although authentic materials greatly improve student engagement and learning, the best course of action could be to combine authentic and traditional resources in a well-balanced approach.
This method guarantees that all students can access and understand the content while allowing
for the advantages of practical application and real-world relevance. The study emphasizes how
important it is for teachers to modify their approaches in order to accommodate students'
changing needs and preferences and to foster a more inclusive and dynamic learning
environment.