Abstract

Teaching reading is a big challenge in English language learning process. There are many different methods, techniques and strategies for teaching reading. One way that facilitates effectiveness in teaching reading is using authentic materials. For preparing this article the researcher researched and collected materials from various books, websites and articles and this research was a library research. Of course, there are large numbers of research on how use authentic materials on reading? On the other hand, a suitable text for teaching reading should not be very easy or difficult. An appropriate text for teaching reading should engage learners in the process of learning. Authentic materials help students know to use language in some social purposes. This will help them to focus on meaningful language use in real live. Authentic materials motivate students because it relates to their real lives and engage them in meaningful communication. Brown (as cited in Aspari, 2014) said that using authentic materials in reading have some disadvantages. For example, reading authentic materials mostly focus on meaning, comprehension, and improving language skills, but it will not focus on form of language such as grammar and other linguistics competences. The advantages which are mentioned by many researchers relates in the Afghan context. It is because that when they are taught authentic materials in teaching reading, they are engaged in the context and improves communication in students. For example, when students are taught newspaper, they understand its main idea easily because it relates to the events that will have happened in their environment or regions.