Job Discussion Forums

[laces]

Hello,
I have recently been investigating the use of authentic materials in the classroom. I am really interested in trying to integrate more examples of authentic conversation into my classes and am wondering if anyone else has tried this and what the results are. I am talking about such things as active listening to each other (supporting the speaker with nodding of the head, for example) and so forth.
Thanks.

[richard ame]

Hi Laces
Yeah that sounds like a good one trying to bring the real world into the learning circle I teach university students at prep level and quite frankly the choice of material leaves me cold the kids can spot straight away the false and contrived dialogues that all too often appear in the average course books I believe that is a factor towards the lowering of the boredom threshold,so I use a lot of newspapers just bring a pile of them in and see what happens we usually get a lot of serious conversation about the topical events especially when they are people they try to emulate ,try it sometime or magazines whatever they actually look forward to our little sessions .