Teaching Reading Using Authentic Materials

The present curriculum assumes the fact that teaching items should not be confined to the textbook only. The students are expected to be exposed to various kinds of authentic materials and deal with them.  Authentic materials are those that are used by the people in their daily lives. Some examples of the authentic materials are newspaper reports, articles, advertisements, public notices, the doctor’s prescriptions, weather reports etc. Here is an example of an authentic text that can be used in the classroom in Grades 9 and 10.

Step 1. The teacher will distribute the photocopied cutouts of an advertisement   to the students.
Step 2. The teacher will distribute the following task sheet and ask them to write answers to the questions in pairs.
Step3. The students will work out the questions and compare their answers with their partners. Finally, one of the students will present the solutions.
Step 4. Then the teacher will present the question type from the Examination Specification Grid

Section:  Reading Comprehension
 Reading section in the Grid   follows this   format:
Total Marks: 40        Type of test: Written
Total Questions: Four reading comprehension passages
 Seen passage: 2(5+10 = 15) Reading passages from Grade 10 text book.
 Unseen passage: 2(10+15=25 marks) Reading 40,  Writing: 24, Grammar: 11, Listening: 10 , Speaking: 15           Total full marks: 100
-    Short answer question, multiple choice, cloze, True/ False
-    Putting  the jumbled sentences into correct order,  fill in the spaces
-    Matching exercises vocabulary ( synonyms, antonyms, word meaning)
    (Except the short answer questions, the types of question should not be repeated in the two seen comprehension passages. This applies to the two unseen comprehension passage as well.

Types of Reading Texts
a)    Seen passage: One poem and one passage  from the textbook
b)    Unseen passage: advertisements, stories, notices, letters, charts, graphs, and tables and other authentic texts.
Advertisement:  Any model of advertisement text is extracted from a newspaper carrying 15 full   marks is given in the SLC   Exam. Here is an example of an advertisement for  an  intensive practice.

Vacancy Announcement
An NGO, working in the field of children, women, governance and HIV/AIDS is looking for a DIRECTOR to be stationed in its central office at Kathmandu.
Responsibilities: The incumbent will be responsible for the smooth operation of day-to- day activities of the organization. S/he will coordinate with different people under different programs to achieve programme goals. The incumbent will report to the board on regular basis regarding overall organizational situation. S/he will also be responsible for approaching donors and developing concepts on different issues.
Required competencies: Ability to use computer, to run different office application  packages, sound communication skill, facilitation and programme development skill, knowledge and skill in applied research, excellent report writing and analytical skill in both Nepali sand English.
Qualification:
1.    Masters Degree in Sociology, Development Studies, Social Work Management, or  any other disciplines.
2.    At least three years of working experience in bilateral agencies or INGOs at managerial level.
Candidates fulfilling the above mentioned criteria shall send their application along with recent CV and a passport size photograph in the following address no later than November 5, 2011.
mmm.founation@yahoo.com
or  GPO Box:13853, Kathmandu, Nepal
Only short listed candidates will be contacted for written examination and interview. Telephone enquiries will not be entertained.
1)    From the above passage find words similar in meaning (synonyms) to the words given below.
    a) Seeking   b) official   c)uninterrupted   d) functioning   e) attain   f) objectives  g) comprehensive   h) affair  i) learning  j) grounds  k) subjects  l) prestigious  m) applicants n) dispatch  o) resume

2)    Write words opposite in meaning (antonyms) to the following.  
    a) peripheral  b)  same  c) incompetence  d) superficial  e) the most  f) notorious  g) demanding  h) receive  i) preceding  i) ignorance  k) worst  i) hindrance   m) speaking n) unilateral   o)intermittent

3.     Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false statements.
a)    The applicant should produce the relevant testimonials
b)    Only female candidates can apply for the  post
c)    The incumbent works in the names of director.
d)    The NGO’s central office   isn’t based in Kathmandu.
e)    The NGO works in single service field.
f)    The candidate need not have previous work experience.
g)    Telephone enquiry will be most welcome.
h)    The candidates can submit their applications and documents via emails as well.
i)    Any type of photograph will be accepted.
j)    All the applicants will be contacted for the written exam.
k)    The above text is an example of an advertisement.
l)    There are more than one vacancies.
m)    Computer knowledge is a must for the candidate .
n)    An organization is a group of people working together to achieve a common goal.
o)    The organization does not seek any assistance from the donors.
p)    The NGO  was established with multiple purposes.

4.    Fill in the spaces.
a)    An NGO intends to recruit a …………………….
b)    The director will work in ……………………….
c)    …………………… will have to be approached for development issues.
d)    The candidate should have command over ………………………..languages.
e)    Previous work experience at ……………………..level is a must for the post.
f)    The deadline to apply is ………………………….
g)    The above text is an example of an ………….....

5.    Answer the following questions.
a)    What does NGO stand for?
b)    In which areas does the NGO work?
c)    Where will the incumbent have to work?
d)    Mention any two responsibilities that the prospective director will have to fulfill.
e)    Besides the academic qualification, what other skills should the candidate possess?
f)    What is the required qualification to be an eligible candidate for the post?
g)    Who can apply for the post?
h)    What is the desired experience for the post?
i)    What are the things to be submitted along with the application?
j)    What is the last date to submit the application?
k)    Where should the candidates put forward their application?
l)    Who will be informed to appear in the written examination and interview?
m)    What is the advertised post?

Answers
1.    Synonyms   a) looking for  b) incumbent  c) smooth  d) operating  e) achieve  f) goals  g) overall  h) issue  
i) knowledge  j) basis  k) discipline  l) reputed  m) candidates   n) send   o) CV
2.    Antonyms  a) central b) different c) ability d) sound e) at least f) reputed  g) fulfilling h) send i) following j) knowledge l) facilitation m) writing n) bilateral o) regular
3.    True/False  a) T    b) F    c) F    d) F    e) F    f) F    g) F h) T    i) F    j) F    k) T    l) F    m) T    n) T    o) F  
4.    Gap filling   a) director   b) Kathmandu   c) Donors d) English and Nepali   e) managerial f) November 5, 2011   g) advertisement
5.    Answers
a)    NGO stands for Non-Governmental Organization.
b)    The NGO works in the areas of children, women, governance and HIV/AIDS.
c)    The incumbent will have to work in Kathmandu.
d)    The two responsibilities that the prospective director will have to fulfil are:
i)    Report to the board on regular basis regarding the overall organizational situation.
ii)    Approach donors and develop concepts on different issues.
e)    The candidate should possess the ability to use computer, sound communication skill, knowledge in applied research and excellent report writing and analytical skills.
f)    Masters Degree in Sociology, Development Studies, Social Work, Management etc. is the required qualification to be an eligible candidate for the post.
g)    Any one, male or female, meeting the required academic qualification mentioned in the advertisement can apply for the post.
h)    At least three years of working experience in bilateral agencies or NGOs at managerial level is the desired experience for the post.
i)    A recent CV and a passport size photograph should be submitted along with the application.
j)    The last date to submit the application is November 5, 2011.
k)    The candidates should put forward their applications either at the given email or postal address.
l)    Only shortlisted candidates will be informed to appear in the written examination and interview.
m)    The advertised post is Director.

Please note
Now it turned out to be absolutely for teacher’s purpose that can be presented in the classroom by the teacher.  While editing the article, please put the advertisement passage in a box and arrange the answers upside down in a box.

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