Students' Perceptions on The Use of Authentic Materials in Teaching Listening

Listening is one of the most challenging skills for EFL learners, especially when instruction relies on textbook recordings rather than real-world communication. This study examined students' perceptions of using authentic listening materials (YouTube podcasts, songs, movies, and news broadcasts) and identified the challenges they encountered using these materials in listening instruction at the English Language Education Department of UIN Ar-Raniry Banda Aceh. This qualitative descriptive study collected data through semi-structured interviews with eight purposively selected participants from the 2022 batch with experience using authentic materials. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis and interpreted through Walgito's three-component framework of perception: cognitive, affective, and conative. The findings revealed that students held positive perceptions toward authentic materials, viewing them as valuable exposure to real-world English, reporting increased engagement and motivation, and voluntarily using such materials outside class. YouTube podcasts were perceived as the most helpful material, while news broadcasts were considered the least helpful. Despite these positive perceptions, students faced challenges such as fast speech, unfamiliar accents, informal expressions, and cultural references, addressed through strategies such as replaying recordings, using subtitles, and noting new vocabulary. The study concludes that authentic materials should remain part of listening instruction with appropriate scaffolding.