Exploiting Authentic Materials for Developing Writing Skills at Secondary Level

Abstract

Writing is an extremely complex process; there are various ways, means and techniques involved in teaching writing. The present study intends to scrutinize the efficacy of authentic materials for enhancing writing skills of the second language assimilators at secondary level in Pakistan. Authentic materials are very interesting, absorbing and motivating. Change and variety is something very important for human development and upbringing. Authentic materials can serve this purpose very well.

Moreover, authentic materials are diverse in nature and have a variety of things to offer. They have been popular for last decade or so and are a very impressive technique. There is a great variety of materials available in newspapers, broadcasts, magazines etc in the form of advertisements, cartoons, bulletins, horoscopes, weather reports etc. Exploited appropriately, they can be of great help to improve students writing skills. Authentic materials can even more be useful to those learners who intend to go to a foreign country for higher education. Such materials will acquaint them not only with the language but also with the culture and value system of the country concerned.

Authentic materials, of course, hold great promise for those who are in the process of learning and improving writing skills. The use of authentic materials creates a lot of interest in the learners and they do not feel bored and tired. There comes a big part of charming and attractive outside world into the classroom. Authentic materials reduce the dullness of specially contrived text material. It makes significant contributions toward meeting the learning objective of a programme. Authentic materials are varied and very flexible in nature, which allow free play to the students and never restrict them at a place.

Key words: Authentic materials, writing skills, second language