Saturday 9:30 - 10:20 AM
Ume Flower, Olympic ParkTel
Filling the Gap Between Cultural Awareness and Appropriate Production
Thomas Mach, Shelly Ridder
Kwansei Gakuin University, Japan
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.
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