THE ROLE OF AUTHENTIC MATERIALS IN DEVELOPING SOCIOLINGUISTIC COMPETENCE IN HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS

This paper explores the significance of using authentic materials to develop sociolinguistic competence in high school learners. Sociolinguistic competence refers to the ability to use language appropriately according to social context, such as understanding the social roles of speakers, the context of communication, and the cultural norms that govern language use. The study emphasizes how authentic materials, such as newspapers, films, podcasts, and real-world conversations, can provide learners with the exposure and practice necessary to understand the subtleties of language use in various social situations. The paper also examines effective strategies for incorporating authentic materials into the curriculum and discusses the potential challenges and benefits of this approach. Findings suggest that integrating authentic materials into language teaching fosters critical thinking, increases cultural awareness, and enhances learners' ability to communicate confidently and appropriately in diverse social settings.Uzbekistan State World Language University in the Faculty of English Philology