Authentic material is defined by Gardner and Miller (1999, pp. 101) as material intended for some other use besides language learning. Authentic material can come in all forms of communication. It may be written text, audio recordings of actual communications or video of conversations or dialogue, all containing content not intended to be used for language instruction.
There are several benefits of employing authentic materials for language learning and teaching. First, they can provide examples for learners of how to communicate in real life situations through exposing them to the sorts of messages they will likely face in everyday conversation. Second, authentic materials can help the leaner focus on the language skills they truly need and ignore skills they may not need for their job or studies.
In addition, authentic materials can strengthen learning strategies which can then be employed in different situations. Those learners with training in self-access learning tend to possess knowledge of what language learning strategies they can best use. Little, Devitt & Singleton (1988 cited in Guariento & Morley, 2001) stated that authentic texts motivate learners and promote language acquisition. Firstly, authentic text or material tends to be more interesting than invented text. Secondly, authentic text motivates learners to pay attention to meaning instead of only form or structure. According to Little et al, language acquisition occurs when learners activate their background knowledge of the world, of discourse, and of the language system.