The use of authentic material in teaching reading descriptive text: review of literature

Fitri Puspita Sari
1)
, Gusti Nur Hafifah
2)
, Linda Mayasari
3) 
The Use of Authentic Material in Teaching Reading Descriptive Text: Review of Literature 
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33603/perspective.v8i2.4365 | 129
4.
 
The Advantages of Teaching Using Authentic Materials 
In the twenty-first century there were major changes felt by the community, especially in 
the development of technology in the world of education. The development of technology 
has a huge effect on the world of education, one of which is in the field of English. In the 
article written by Rao (2019) and Berardo (2006) the concept of learning English in this era 
depends more on technology that has a positive impact on teaching and learning in the 
classroom. Technology is used by teachers as a facility that can be used to satisfy the needs 
and interests of students in learning activities, the learning process that is often used is 
internet access, from the internet teachers get a lot of authentic material that can be taught 
to students according to the topic being studied with the aim to improve students' standards 
and develop language skills through information provided by teachers through authentic 
materials, authentic materials provide connections between teachers, students, and 
knowledge of the outside world. Authentic materials that can be used by teachers such as 
newspapers, magazines, story books, films, radio, etc. Authentic material also provides an 
opportunity for teachers to adopt a variety of learning materials and strategies to teach 
students using the latest information, authentic material has the benefit of being more 
economical and easier to access. 
Research by Rao (2019) and Berardo (2006) has several similarities, namely explaining the 
advantages and disadvantages of using authentic material in teaching reading. Berardo 
(2006) the advantage of using authentic material is to present the language in a real way, the 
information obtained by students is wider, from authentic material students can find out 
information that is happening in the world. Authentic material is claimed to be the ideal 
material for teaching and training students in skimming skills, authentic material also 
contains various types of texts, using language styles not found in conventional learning 
materials. Authentic material can also encourage students' interests because they contain 
interesting topics. Supported by Beresova (2015) in the other words, undoubtedly, the 
materials will be meaningful learning for the students. However, some disadvantages in the 
use of authentic material are also explained, namely in the cultural context, authentic 
material covers a very broad culture, while not all students can understand each culture used 
in the area, if authentic material is given not in accordance with the topic will give difficulties 
to students because it is difficult to understand, another loss that is authentic material must 
be relevant and can be news because of errors in the selection of material. 
Whereas in Rao's research (2019) several advantages in the use of authentic material are that 
the teacher can choose the material to be given to students and adjusted to the needs and 
interests of students. Just like Berardo's research (2006) students are expected to get 
information from real life, authentic material is also very economical, easily accessible, and 
available everywhere. Authentic material is claimed to be able to develop language skills, 
the ability to learn in understanding texts and enhance students' critical thinking so that 
creativity between students and teachers is formed. The use of authentic material also 
provides information to students about conditions and situations in the world, authentic 
material can be used by teachers for the same material in different classes, authentic material 
makes the learning process more interesting, with authentic material can build relationships 
between the outside world and classrooms. Authentic material is usually equipped with 
sound and images that make students more interested in learning, and motivate students to 
be active in the classroom by doing the assigned tasks. The disadvantage in using authentic 
material is also explained that the material presented may not be relevant, similar to 
Berardo's research (2006) the disadvantage of using authentic material is that students must 
be able to understand many cultures because authentic material includes a lot of information 

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Academic Journal PERSPECTIVE: Language, Education and Literature Vol 8 (2) November 2020, 122-134
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.33603/perspective.v8i2.4365 | 130
from all over the world with different cultures- difference, for that teachers are expected to 
be more careful in choosing authentic material that is suitable to the level and needs of 
students. It is truly the challenge for the teacher to applied the authentic materials and adjust 
it to the student’s grade and topic. Moreover, despite all the challenge that the educator face, 
student has the possibility to feel the real outside world in the classroom and be part of 
culture of language that they learned (Piri & Gjinali, 2014).