An Investigation Into Students' English Pragmatic Competence In A Senior High School

In recent decades, pragmatic competence has been frequently discussed in the field of linguistic research and English language teaching. Pragmatic competence is defined as the ability of using language appropriately in order to achieve a certain purpose and comprehend language in social interaction. No doubt, deficiency in pragmatic competence can result in pragmatic failure.In communicative competence, pragmatic competence serves as one of the major components, previous researches discussed a lot on pragmatic competence of English majors, non-English majors, postgraduates, undergraduates, higher vocational college students and primary school students. However, English pragmatic competence has not aroused adequate attention in senior high school English teaching and few studies have inquired into the status quo of English pragmatic competence among senior high school students.The present study examined pragmatic competence of senior high school students in the form of questionnaire and interviews. Scores in the questionnaire were analyzed and discussed to show the general state of senior high school students' pragmatic competence. The relation between linguistic competence and pragmatic competence of senior high school students was also discussed and displayed in the research. And whether there exists differences in pragmatic competence between male students and female students was explored as well. After interviewing twelve senior high school students and ten English teachers in Nanchang No.1 Railway Middle School, and with the analysis of some questions in the questionnaire, this paper presents a distinct picture about the current situation of senior high school students' pragmatic competence and shows insightful explanation for the causes of pragmatic failure appearing in the questionnaire, and further emphasizes the necessity and feasibility to foster students' English pragmatic competence in senior high school English teaching.The major findings of this study demonstrated that:(1) the general state of senior high school students' pragmatic competence was not positive and satisfactory;(2)there was slightly positive correlation between linguistic competence and pragmatic competence of senior high school students;(3) there were significant differences in English pragmatic competence between male students and female students;(4) thecauses for students' pragmatic failure can be summarized from senior high school students themselves and in relation with some external factors. Hence, the development of senior high school students' pragmatic competence is imperative and essential. According to the analysis results, the author put forward some pedagogical suggestions in the hope of the improvement of pragmatic competence through the practice:(1) raising cultural awareness of teachers and students;(2) employing more pragmatically-oriented teaching;(3) carrying out more pragmatically-centered activities;(4) providing more pragmatic materials;(5) enriching teachers' pragmatic knowledge and encouraging teachers' self-improvement in pragmatic competence.