PORTFOLIO PPOE

Communication skills with authentic English

English / Authentic material / UNAD

Omar Alexis Caceres Rodriguez 2023

Introduction

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In virtual pedagogical practice for teaching English, authentic material has been implemented as a teaching strategy to improve students' understanding and application of linguistic concepts in real contexts. This research is carried out with students aged 18 to 30 years old from the UNAD English III course, addressing basic-intermediate level topics through sessions in Microsoft Teams. Through a systematic planning and implementation methodology, authentic material such as songs, films and readings are used to exemplify grammatical theory, encouraging participation with debates and simulations. So far, there is greater student participation, improvement in communication skills when using native pronunciation, and a reduction in the gap between theory and practice.

Research idea

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The research idea arose from the need to address the difficulties that English learners face in listening and speaking skills, particularly in a virtual environment. The proposal focused on the integration of authentic material to improve the understanding and practical application of linguistic concepts.

Setting objectives

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General and specific objectives were established to guide the research. The objectives focused on assessing student participation and engagement, measuring understanding of linguistic concepts, and identifying the benefits for teachers and students of using authentic material.

General objective: To evaluate the impact of the integration of authentic material in academic activities of a virtual basic English teaching environment, with the purpose of exemplifying theoretical concepts, promoting the understanding and effective application of linguistic concepts in real contexts by students.

Specific objectives:

• To analyze the level of participation and engagement of students in online academic activities that incorporate authentic material compared to activities that use traditional material.
• To assess students' understanding and retention of linguistic concepts when using authentic material in academic activities.
• To identify the benefits received by teachers and students when implementing the integration of authentic material in the virtual basic English teaching environment and its impact on the practical application of the concepts learned.

Implementation context

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The context of the research was selected, which was the English III course at UNAD, with students from different parts of Colombia, with cultural diversity and varied socioeconomic characteristics. The teaching environment was virtual, through the Microsoft Teams platform.

Pedagogical practice in Online Enviroments PPOE

English III

Microsft Teams

Planning phases

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The planning phases of the activity were designed, which included the analysis of the topic, the characteristics of the students, the investigation of authentic material, its adaptation to the virtual environment, and the design of didactic and practical activities.

Design of didactic and practical activities.

Investigation of authentic material

Analysis of the topic

Adaptation to the virtual environment

Characteristics of the students

Development of the activity

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Prior preparation

Interactive activities

Design of the session

Games, conversations, images, videos

Microsoft Teams platform

Teaching strategies

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Authentic videos

Authentic readings

Real situations

Debates

Simulations

Dialogue between students, interviews

Fragments of songs, fragments of TV series, fragments of movies

News, chats, texts with everyday topics

Simulated real life situations

Everyday phrases

Argumentation and self-evaluation

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The use of different websites, with conversations from native English speakers, contributes significantly to the development of listening skills. Integrating students into situations presented in the native language allows them to develop the ability to listen and create meaningful knowledge in an evolutionary way.

Madhumathi Pasupathi

The use of authentic materials helps in the development of the four communication skills, increases vocabulary knowledge and promotes meaningful knowledge for the practical application of the language.

Pérez Ruiz and Santamaría Molinero

Implementing authentic material, such as the use of music, improves English learners' listening skills. The study identified that the use of songs facilitates the assimilation of new content and motivates language learning.

Pamela Luque and Carmita Montes

Results and conclusions

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Improvements in listening skills

Active participation

Practical application of linguistic concepts

Motivation

Reduction of fear of participating

Additional findings

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Provide clear guidance

Constant evaluation and feedback

Continuous adaptation of authentic material

Class that illustrates the research process.

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Objective.

Identify and apply the structure of conditionals, as well as their different types and uses in real contexts.

Number of participating students.

2 students

Duration.

2 hours

Date.

October 19, 2023

Topic.

Conditionals

The conditionals class was essential to the investigation for several reasons. First, the initial activity used an authentic video of clips from famous animated films to exemplify the application of conditionals in everyday situations. This connection with reality allowed students to visualize its practical use. The prior knowledge activity provided an opportunity for students to contrast their prior understanding of conditionals with new information, identifying gaps and establishing a solid foundation. Therefore, in the practical part, students related the conditionals in the video with movie images, encouraging active application. The production phase, with exercises that include completing sentences and creating conditionals based on popular superstitions, contributed to the internalization of the topic. In summary, the conditionals class was significant in providing a complete learning experience, from connecting with authentic materials to active application and dynamic assessment, effectively aligning with the lesson objectives and contributing to the success of the research process.

Lesson plan

Reflection

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Research practice in online environments has been fundamental for my academic development and my understanding of the language. The accessibility of online resources has greatly expanded the ability to explore diverse linguistic and cultural perspectives. By researching through digital platforms, I have been able to immerse myself in a rich variety of authentic materials, from newspaper articles to everyday online conversations. This approach has shaped my culture of inquiry, encouraging me to explore beyond the boundaries of the traditional classroom and adopt a more autonomous approach to learning. Regarding teaching philosophy, the research experience has managed to influence the pedagogical approach by highlighting the importance of adaptability and inclusivity. The diversity of sources available online has highlighted the need to customize the teaching approach to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of students. This change in perspective has strengthened the commitment to creating an educational environment that encourages active participation and appreciation of the multiple ways in which students can interact with the English language. As I move towards the future teaching profession, research is evident as an essential tool to stay updated and continually improve teaching methods.