Use of authentic texts in reading

Abstract

The diploma thesis attempts to explore the issue of authentic texts in reading. Firstly, the fundamental theoretical questions connected to the term communicative competence within the framework of reading are discussed. Particular attention in the theoretical part of the thesis is devoted to reading and the use of authentic texts with the comparison of the Framework Education Programme for Elementary Education. Secondly, the small-scale research is aimed at discovering whether teachers in elementary schools use authentic texts and how they use their potential in teaching and learning reading. The research employs structured observations, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and content analysis of particular coursebooks used for lower secondary learners. The obtained results are evaluated and compared to the theoretical outcomes.