Uso de materiales auténticos en el aula de clases de inglés como lengua extranjera en el nivel de educación superior en Honduras

Abstract

This paper reports on a qualitative research conducted in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom in Honduras to explore what the students’ perceptions are towards the use of authentic materials and whether these provide them with motivation and engagement in the language learning process. This study was carried out employing a semi-structured interview and learner journals. The data analysis process was conducted through the implementation of both thematic and content analysis. Three main themes were identified from the data such as motivation, entertainment, and cooperation, which served throughout the study as the basis for answering the research questions. The findings suggest that students perceive the use of these materials as motivating, engaging, entertaining, and helpful, which encourage them to participate not only actively, but also cooperatively.

Motivation, engagement, and entertainment while learning in the EFL classroom are provided mainly by the use of authentic materials. Students find more motivating to use these materials, as they provide them with real contexts and rich environments, which are of their interest. Using de-contextualized materials may result in boring tasks and tasks.