English Teaching

ELT365 · Day 159 — Graded vs authentic texts — choosing wisely

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Idea — Graded texts are written to match a CEFR level: controlled vocabulary, short sentences. Authentic texts are real-world material at natural complexity. Neither is better; the choice depends on lesson aim and learner readiness.

Example — A graded A2 story uses past simple throughout; an authentic newspaper uses mixed tenses, idioms, and ellipsis. Both can teach — with the right task.

Try — Take an authentic paragraph and grade it to A2: shorten sentences, replace two idioms, cut one clause. Notice what is lost and what is kept.


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