AUTHENTIC MATERIALS IN THE PARADIGM OF FRENCH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (FLE): CHALLENGES, RESONANCES AND PERSPECTIVES IN THE INDIAN ACADEMIC ENVIRONMENT

Authentic materials have become increasingly important with the evolution of French as a foreign language (FLE) teaching and learning. Once used only as supplements, they are now seen as essential tools that help learners communicate better in real-life situations and gain a deeper understanding of the culture. The present work is a descriptive study on the role and the use of authentic materials in the teaching and learning of French as a foreign language in India. The survey was conducted using questionnaires designed for this purpose and composed of open and closed questions. The questionnaire was created by using the Google form, sent by email along with a link, and distributed via whatsApp to learners and teachers at Indian universities. This study aims to determine whether these teachers use authentic materials in teaching French as a foreign language and the students use them to learn French, to identify the types of materials used, and to analyze the teachers’ and learners’ considerations on the effectiveness of authentic materials in teaching and learning French as a foreign language. This work addresses a practical experience of using authentic materials as a pedagogical tool to improve the level of teaching and learning French. This present work is empirical in nature. Faced with the difficulties encountered by teachers and learners in teaching and learning French, we studied and experienced its challenges, resonances and perspectives in the Indian academic environment.