Pragmatics in the EFL ClassroomAn introduction
Jerry Talandis Jr. University of Toyama
Today
1 What is pragmatics?
2 Introducing pragmatics to students
3 Principles worth teaching
4 Ideas for review & assessment
5 Resources
Theory
Practice
Part 1What is pragmatics?
語用論ごようろん
The study of social language use
“The secret rules of language”
“I like to say that pragmatics is the study of how-to-say-what-to-
whom-when, and that L2 pragmatics is the study of how learners come to know how-to-
say-what-to-whom-when.” Bardovi-Harlig, 2009
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Bardovi-Harlig, K. & Mehan-Taylor, R. (2009). Teaching pragmatics. English Teaching Forum 2003(41:3).
Pragmatics
speech acts
discourse organization
sociolinguistics
conversational structure
implicature
management
Pragmatics deals with...
1 Using language for different purposes
2 Changing language according to the needs of the situation
3 Following rules for conversations
2012 (Nov. 17). American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Social Language Use. http://www.asha.org/public/speech/development/pragmatics.htm
1 Using language
Greetings (hello, good-bye)
1 Using language
Informing (I’m going to get a cookie now)
1 Using language
Requesting (I would like a cookie please)
1 Using language
Demanding (Give me a cookie!)
1 Using language
Promising (I will give you a cookie soon)
2: Changing language
It’s normal to talk differently to different people!
•Children & adults
•Sempai & kohai
•Friends & strangers
•Family & co-workers
3: Following Rules
Turn takingIntroducing topics
3: Following Rules
Dealing with breakdowns
Using verbal & non-verbal signalsUse of body language
Why Bother?
Pragmatic rules vary across and within cultures
Why Bother?
Pragmatic awareness helps students improve communication
and avoid problems
Introducing pragmatics to students
Part 2
Showing VS
Telling
WHY IS DIALOG 2 BETTER?
・longer answers
・more natural
・more details
・no silence
・friendlier
What is pragmatics?
語用論ごようろん
How to be friendly in another language
What is a
conversation?
The 4 parts
of a conversation
4 Parts of a good conversation
Part Purpose
1 Opening Closing
Frames the interaction; Start & end smoothly
2 Questions Open & Closed
3 Answers Various lengths
4 Pragmatics Provides energy, facilitates exchange of meaning
Go over the 4 parts
Part 3Which principles are worth teaching?
Which way is better?
Conversation strategies“Golden rules”
The Golden
Rules
Richmond, S. & Vannieu, B. (2009). Conversations in Class. Kyoto: Alma Publishing.
DiscussionWhat’s happening?
Different interpretations of silence
Japan Western cultures
“I can’t answer you.” “I’m bored & don’t care.”
“Please ask someone else.” “I don’t like you.”
“I’m thinking.” “I don’t respect your authority.”
Golden Rule 1Don’t remain silent for more
than a few seconds(Say something quickly)
What would you say is your favorite class at the moment?
Teacher:
I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Student:
Okay. What’s your favorite class now?Teacher:
Oh! It’s English, for sure!Student:
You don’t understand anything the speaker says1
You need the speaker to repeat what was said
So, Taro, wachagonnadothisweekend? Teacher:
Pardon? Student:
What are you going to do this weekend?Teacher:
Oh, I’m going out with some friends.Student:
2
You can’t Understand a difficult word or phrase
How many electives are you taking now?
Teacher:
Um… What does “electives” mean?Student:
It’s a course that you choose.Teacher:
I see. I’m taking three electives now.Student:
3
You don’t know how to answer a question
What does your father do? Teacher:
Ah… How do you say “bengoshi” in English?Student:
Oh, it’s “lawyer.”Teacher:
Yes. He is a lawyer. Student:
4
DiscussionWhat’s happening?
In front of a groupWhen meeting someone new
When speaking to a sempai
Being modestAllowing other person to lead
You are showing respect
Two Ways of finding Common ground
Which way is better?
Golden Rule 2
Add one or two extra pieces of information to your answers(+alpha answers)
Answer Implicit Questions暗黙の質問
“Yes, I love it. Maguro is my favorite.”(+alpha)
DiscussionWhat looks different about
this conversation?
Golden Rule 3
It’s natural to sometimes talk about yourself
Listen first, talk secondDo you play any sports?A:
B: Yes, I play soccer after school.GR 2
Do you play any sports?A: B: Yes, I play soccer after school.GR 3
Oh yeah? I used to play in HS.A: (reaction) (+alpha comment)
(+ alpha)
StrategiesConversation
Which are best to teach?So many choices...
Ideas for review & assessmentPart 4
Review & Assessment are vital
•Writing, listening, and noticing tasks
•Dialog writing test
•Speaking test
Practice with a Writing Activity
Use fewer Questions
Skip the Questions!
NoticingtaskCan you find the Golden Rules?
Yes, I play soccer everyday after school. GR2
Really? I love soccer, too! I use to play a lot in junior high school, but not any more. GR3
How do you say 「アルバイト」in English? GR1
NoticingtaskCan you find the Golden Rules?
Pair dictation✂
️
Embed in listening exercises
Recording Transcribing Noticing
Compare before・afterrecordings
Pair dialog writing test
Pair speaking
test
Richmond, S. & Vannieu, B. (2009). Conversations in Class. Kyoto: Alma Publishing.
•1:1 time with teacher is motivational
•Less pressure for beginners
•Gently encourages student initiative
Alternative interviewPros
•Can be tricky to mark
•Impractical with large or unruly classes
Alternative interview
Cons
•1:1 time with teacher is motivational
•Encourages more student initiative
Question the teacherPros
•Takes too long to evaluate everyone
•Hard sometimes to let students lead
•Can be tricky to mark
Question the teacherCons
•Encourages teamwork
•Less time to evaluate everyone
•Easier to mark
•Enables more sophistication
Prepareddialog
Pros
•Performance rather than real conversation
Prepareddialog
Cons
•Encourages teamwork
•Less time to evaluate everyone
•Enables more actual conversation
3 Person conversationPros
•Can be tricky to mark
3 Person conversationCons
Markingschemes
Part 5Resources
Nice Talking with youTom Kenny Linda Woo
Cambridge
Nice Talking with youTom Kenny Linda Woo
Cambridge
By The WayMichael Hensley Bill Burns
Macmillan LanguageHouse
Jazz English
Gunther Breaux
Compass Publishing
Conversations in classStephen Richmond Bruno Vannieu
Alma Publishing
PragtivitiesJim Ronald, Carol Rinnert, Kenneth Fordyce, Tim Knight (Eds.)
JALT Pragmatics SIG
SummaryPragmatics:
“The study of how to be friendly in English”
SummaryAddresses practical aspects of
successful communication
SummaryA veritable gold mine
of ideas and possibilities
SummaryA little goes a long way
SummaryNo need for wholesale changes to
your teaching style
SummaryContinuous review & assessment
needed for long-term gains
SummaryContact the JALT PragSIG for more info
pragsig.org
