Real people, real voices, real stories: How authenticity engages learners

Classrooms come alive when students are engaged intellectually and emotionally in learning something they want or need to know. How can we create that engagement? By showing students real people telling their own true stories about connecting with the wider world. National Geographic Explorers are known for working on amazing projects around the globe, but they also buy groceries, commute to the office, visit their families, and dream about the future. Using examples from National Geographic Learning’s Voices for young adults and adults, we’ll look at how learners can see themselves reflected in Explorers’ lives and how that connection can drive language learning.