ABSTRACT
There has been growing interest in using meaningful and authentic content in teaching language, particularly at the tertiary level. Part of the research is about how to design, develop and evaluate units of work using authentic texts created by native speakers for a real purpose rather than texts created solely for textbooks. This chapter looks at aspects of what constitutes an authentic text and the reasons for using authentic texts in second language teaching in a senior secondary class of mostly non-Chinese background students in a secondary school in South Australia. It has resulted from the collaboration between a native Chinese speaking assistant teacher and a second language Chinese teacher. It presents examples of authentic texts which have been chosen to complement the topics of “The world of work” and “Education and Aspirations” and provides student work samples from two tasks which are based on these texts. It examines some of the practical issues in sourcing, adapting and using such resources and provides anecdotal feedback from students about the benefits of working with these texts. It is relevant to teachers of all languages at senior secondary level.
