Authentic texts vs. Graded texts for listening practice

Have you ever found yourselves in a minor failure when you could complete the listening task in an English textbook easily but struggle watching an English-speaking video on Youtube?

Finding appropriate sources for your extra listening practice in your free time can be tricky at time. Here is the fundamental distinction between authentic texts and graded texts, which should shed light on the puzzle above and thus help you with selecting what to listen to at home. 

GRADED TEXTS: 

• Any materials which are designed and intended for learning and teaching purposes.
• eg. textbooks, CD for listening practice, standardised listening tests

AUTHENTIC TEXTS:

• Any materials which are NOT designed or produced for learning and teaching purposes. Materials are often created by native speakers for communicative purposes outside of the classroom setting. Therefore, the language usage has not been graded to a specific level compatible with certain groups of learners. 
• eg. Youtube videos, podcasts, conversations among native speakers

They both have pros and cons. The most important take-away lesson here is to realise that the comprehension level of graded texts will not automatically be reflected in that of authentic texts. Fortunately, nowadays there are multiple websites that offer authentic listening texts with recommended level of proficiency for your reference. 

Below are some of my highly recommended sources of listening practices:

• Podcasts: Most of them are authentic texts, except for playlists related to English language teaching eg. BBC 6 minutes English
• Voicetube/ Youtube: Same as above (On this note, I would like to suggest Moocnote as your aid for note-taking while watching Youtube videos)
• ELLO: Authentic texts with materials to support comprehension
• Learn English BC: Graded texts for sure