March 12, 2025
Unlocking the full potential of language learning hinges on providing ample exposure to language input that is just beyond the learners’ current proficiency level. This optimal balance of challenge and comprehensibility, often referred to as “i+1,” facilitates comprehension, retention, and overall language development. A key strategy for supporting learners of English as an Additional Language (EAL) involves offering comprehensible input—language that is slightly above their current proficiency but still understandable through context, visuals, and prior knowledge.
Providing EAL students with ample opportunities to read is a powerful way to foster language growth, as it immerses them in rich linguistic contexts that enhance comprehension and vocabulary acquisition. Additionally, encouraging regular reading not only strengthens their receptive skills but also builds a solid foundation for expressive abilities in speaking and writing.
There are essentially two ways to provide appropriately levelled texts for EAL students:
- Writing content tailored to specific vocabulary, verb tenses, and grammatical structures, or
- Identifying authentic texts that naturally align with these criteria.
Both graded readers and authentic texts offer unique benefits for EAL students. Graded readers are tailored to the learners’ proficiency levels, providing simplified content, progressive learning, and additional support materials to ensure steady progress. Authentic texts, on the other hand, expose learners to real-world language use, idiomatic expressions, and cultural references, enhancing contextual learning and cultural understanding.
Authentic text, when presented at the right level, serves as an invaluable tool to immerse learners in the language in a natural, contextualized manner, enabling them to acquire new skills without feeling overwhelmed.
But what exactly are authentic texts, and why are they so crucial for EAL learners?
What Are Authentic Texts?
Authentic texts are materials that are created for native speakers of the language, rather than for language learners. Unlike language textbooks or simplified reading materials such as those you would typically find in a language learning materials, authentic texts provide real-world language use in context.
The Importance of Authentic Texts for EAL Students in International schools
Why is this important and what difference can authentic texts make to learners who are learning English as a new language WHILE learning in English? Authentic texts—materials created for native speakers without simplification—serve as powerful catalysts in their language acquisition journey, bridging classroom learning with the real world.
Benefits of Authentic Texts for EAL Students
- Cultural Understanding: Language and culture are deeply intertwined. Authentic texts offer insights into the cultural context in which the language is used, helping students understand not just the words, but the meaning behind them. This cultural awareness is essential for effective communication.
- Engagement and Motivation: Authentic texts are often more engaging than instructional language texts because they are varied in topic and age-appropriate. When students read about topics they care about or encounter language in real-life contexts, their motivation to learn increases.
- Improved Receptive and Productive Skills: Exposure to authentic language enriches both receptive skills (listening and reading) and productive skills (speaking and writing). Students absorb vocabulary and grammatical structures in context, which enhances their ability to communicate effectively and creatively. It provides a model for natural language use that they can emulate in their own expression.
How Renaissance can help
At Renaissance, we help EAL learners achieve their language goals through personalised solutions. Using data-driven insights, we tailor teaching approaches to each student’s unique strengths and needs, ensuring effective and timely support. Our structured, targeted language experiences foster essential skills, confidence, and a love of learning. By integrating language development into daily teaching practices and providing authentic materials, we create a language-rich environment that prepares students to excel academically and socially. Our commitment is to empower EAL learners with the skills they need to become successful life-long learners.
The power of myON and myON News
myON is a digital reading platform that provides unlimited access to high quality reading materials, curriculum support and insights to reading frequency and fluency. With a rich variety of thousands of authentic texts, myON is an integral tool for use in school and at home.
But how?
- Diverse Collection: The platform includes a wide range of authentic texts, such as fiction and nonfiction books, articles, and news reports. This diversity helps students encounter real-world language use and a variety of writing styles. The 8000+ books in the myON International Collection have been analysed and identified for their CEFR level, providing the opportunity to read books at one’s English proficiency level.
- Maximising technology: Supporting all four language domains—listening, speaking, reading, and writing–myON includes tools and supports that help students interact with the texts. These features can include highlighting, note-taking, and embedded dictionaries, which aid in comprehension and retention. Listening to texts read aloud supports speaking and listening practice and provides the digital dignity for learners to practice at their own pace.
- Track Progress at Every Step: myON personalises reading recommendations based on each student’s interests, grade, and reading level. The platform tracks students’ reading habits and progress over time, providing insights into their growth and helping educators tailor instruction to meet individual needs. supports language development through a rich variety of authentic material to support speaking and listening practice and promote prosody.
Foster a Love of Language for all Learners.
Incorporating authentic texts into the curriculum for EAL students is not just beneficial; it’s essential. Tools like myON not only supports language development but also fosters a love for reading by making it relevant and engaging for students. By exposing students to real-world language use and cultural contexts, educators can help them become more proficient and enthusiastic communicators.
Authentic texts are more than educational tools; they are windows into new worlds. For EAL students in international schools, they offer the keys to unlock not just a language, but a deeper connection to the global community. Embracing authentic materials empowers students to become confident communicators, critical thinkers, and empathetic global citizens.
“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.” — Ludwig Wittgenstein
