Second Language Pragmatics

This Element provides an overview of the areas that second language (L2) pragmatics research has investigated, including learning, teaching, and assessing. It also explores studies on cognitive processes during pragmatic performance and showcases two ongoing projects.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 14 July 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This Element provides an overview of the areas that second language (L2) pragmatics research has explored. It begins with a theme-based review of the field, focusing on L2 pragmatics learning, teaching, and assessing. The section on pragmatics learning examines studies on learners' pragmatic production and perception, analyzing research methodologies in this area. The section on pragmatics teaching explores the effects of and different approaches to L2 pragmatics instruction, while the section on pragmatics assessing examines the aspects involved in testing learners' pragmatic competence. Additionally, the Element analyzes studies exploring learners' cognitive processes during pragmatic performance, showcasing two ongoing projects: one investigating advanced learners' self-praise on social media and the other investigating lingua franca pragmatics among children. Finally, the Element offers some topics and questions for future research in L2 pragmatics.

Introduction:
Second language (L2) pragmatics research has significantly contributed to our understanding of how language is used in real-world contexts. This Element provides an overview of the areas that L2 pragmatics research has investigated, focusing on L2 pragmatics learning, teaching, and assessing. It begins with a theme-based review of the field, examining research on L2 pragmatics learning, teaching, and assessing.

Pragmatics Learning:
The section on pragmatics learning explores studies on learners' pragmatic production and perception. It examines research modalities in this field, such as experimental studies, case studies, and ethnographic studies. These studies investigate how learners acquire and develop their pragmatic competence, including their understanding of language use, social norms, and communication strategies.

Pragmatics Teaching:
The section on pragmatics teaching examines the effects of and different approaches to L2 pragmatics instruction. It explores the role of teacher training, classroom activities, and language learning materials in promoting learners' pragmatic development. The section also discusses the challenges and strategies involved in teaching pragmatics to different learner populations, such as advanced learners and learners with specific language backgrounds.

Pragmatics Assessing:
The section on pragmatics assessing examines the aspects involved in testing learners' pragmatic competence. It discusses the development and validation of pragmatic assessment instruments, such as rating scales, interview protocols, and task-based assessments. The section also examines studies on issues related to validity and rating in pragmatics assessing, such as the reliability and validity of rating scales and the use of contextual information in rating.

Learners' Cognitive Processes during Pragmatic Performance:
The section on learners' cognitive processes during pragmatic performance analyzes studies exploring learners' cognitive processes during pragmatic performance. It examines how learners process language, interpret social cues, and make decisions in real-world communication situations. These studies shed light on the cognitive strategies and mental processes that learners use to negotiate meaning and communicate effectively.

Case Studies:
Case studies are provided to showcase two ongoing projects that investigate different aspects of L2 pragmatics. The first project explores advanced learners' self-praise on social media, examining how learners use self-praise to express their achievements and build their social identities. The second project investigates lingua franca pragmatics among children, examining how children use language to communicate and cooperate in multilingual contexts.

Future Research Topics:
Finally, the Element offers some topics and questions for future research in L2 pragmatics. These topics include the development of more effective teaching strategies for pragmatics, the exploration of different learner populations and contexts, and the investigation of new research methodologies, such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence.

Weight: 131g
ISBN-13: 9781009077545