ELT365 · Day 174 — Authentic vs graded listening texts

Idea — Authentic texts use real-world speech: overlaps, hesitations, accent variation, natural speed. Graded texts simplify for level. Both have a place; neither should dominate a course.

Example — A B1 class listening to a slow, clear dialogue: graded. The same class with a podcast excerpt at natural speed: authentic.

Try — Take an authentic clip you like. What would you pre-teach to make it accessible at your learners’ level?

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