THE ROLE OF AUTHENTIC MATERIALS IN TEACHING ENGLISH TO NON-PHILOLOGICAL STUDENTS
Abstract
Abstract. The teaching of English to non-philological students (e.g., future engineers, economists, medical professionals, and IT specialists) presents unique challenges, primarily because traditional textbook-based instruction often fails to address the specific communicative needs of these learners. This article argues that authentic materials—unmodified texts, audio, and visual resources from real-world contexts—are indispensable for developing genuine professional communicative competence. The article demonstrates that authentic materials increase motivation, bridge the gap between classroom language and workplace reality, and foster critical thinking. Practical implementation strategies and potential limitations are also discussed. The article concludes with recommendations for curriculum designers and classroom practitioners working with non-philological student populations. Keywords: Authentic materials, non-philological students, English for Specific Purposes (ESP), professional communicative competence, motivation, realia, foreign language teaching methodology.