Teaching second language pragmatics in the current era of globalization: An introduction

Abstract

The increasing mobility of speakers of different languages to different countries, together with the globalized world we live in, have led to multilingual societies in which linguistic exchanges between both native and non-native speakers have become a very common practice. This reality emphasizes the need to help learners of foreign and second languages become not only linguistically competent but also pragmatically competent, in order not to sound impolite or inappropriate in the target language. Addressing this need, studies in interlanguage pragmatics (ILP) have explored which methodology is most effective for teaching pragmatics. Earlier ILP studies compared explicit versus implicit instruction, highlighting the key role of explicit metapragmatic explanations. More recently, scholars have investigated how to create opportunities to for authentic pragmatic practice inside the classroom. To do so, some studies have implemented task-based language teaching to provide students with goal-oriented meaningful activities that address their real-world needs. Other studies have incorporated technology-enhanced materials such as simulated immersive environments and computer-mediated communication to promote students’ engagement in authentic use of the language beyond the classroom. Another current concern in L2 pragmatic instruction is how to account for the emergence of English as an International Language (EIL), and the consequent need to guide learners into acquiring language as a tool to mediate across linguistic and cultural boundaries. Different studies have adopted an EIL perspective, proposing the enhancement of students’ metapragmatic awareness and strategies to deal with the hybrid nature of English and its associated varieties and cultures. The special issue ‘Teaching second language pragmatics in the current era of globalization’ aims to illustrate such current trends, with six contributions by distinguished scholars in the field of L2 pragmatics from all over the globe.

A systematic review of studies on connected speech processing: Trends, key findings, and implications

“…Therefore, the outward behaviors of speech output became exceptionally crucial as acoustic features and clinical clues to be identified and examined through connected speech production. More recently, due to the acceleration of globalization and internationalization as well as the increasing demands on cross-cultural communication ( Sanchez-Hernandez and Baron, 2022 ), the impact of CSP on FL/SL speaking and listening comprehension began to receive much more attention, thus leading to a shift of research focus from production to perception. Accompanied by this shift was the change of research subject from native speakers with developmental disorders to normal FL/SL speakers.…”

UZRT 2024: Early language learning in formal contexts. Book of abstracts

“…The knowledge of contextually appropriate language use is referred to as 'pragmatic' competence. A number of studies have dealt with the relevance of pragmatic competence to second language teaching (e.g., Rose &Kasper, 2001;McLean, 2004;Sánchez-Hernández & Barón, 2022), but little has been said about the role of teachers' pragmatic awareness in English for Young Learners (EYL) classes (Glaser, 2018). The present paper reports on the initial step of a research project aimed at investigating the function of pragmatics in the teaching of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in primary school.…”

Vocabulary skills and virtual tools in students of A2 Universidad Católica de Cuenca

“…Besides, English is used as a global language facilitating communication between people whose first languages (L1s) are not English for international communication purposes (Haidar & Fang, 2019). For instance, this reality emphasizes the need to help learners of foreign and second languages become linguistically competent and pragmatically competent in order not to sound impolite or inappropriate in the target language (Sanchez-Hernandez & Baron, 2021).…”