Authenticity in Foreign Language Teaching: A Perspective from Ordinary Language Philosophy

Authenticity, albeit fundamental, has been controversial in foreign language education. In light of post-Wittgenteinian ordinary language philosophy, this paper investigates the uses of authenticityin foreign language education, characterizes their language games and expounds their forms of life.A philosophical reflection on authenticity in foreign language education reveals that the ambiguity of authenticity in foreign language education is rooted in its discursive recontextualization. Thereby, current foreign language education is critically reviewed with a focus on the explication of conceptual confusion by foreign language education practitioners.