Saturday 9:30 - 10:20 AM
Ume Flower, Olympic ParkTel
Filling the Gap Between Cultural Awareness and Appropriate Production 

A pragmatically competent language learner knows about the target culture, analyzes a communicative situation using that knowledge, and chooses appropriate language based on the analysis. Although some ESL/EFL materials have a pragmatic bent, many focus primarily on either the first stage (cultural information) or the final stage (linguistic options). Thus, the presenters have been experimenting with ways of helping their Japanese university students develop competency in the middle stage (critical analysis) using American English. They involve using easily grasped concepts, namely impact and politeness pillow. Communicative situations are analyzed in terms of their likely impact on listeners, and the politeness pillows are the linguistic cushions used to soften the blows. 
The presenters will outline this need to address the critical analysis stage of pragmatic ability, explain the model they are now using, and invite participants to share other ways of helping students navigate the tricky waters of pragmatic competency.