California Teacher of English Learners (CTEL) : Pragmatics

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for California Teacher of English Learners (CTEL)

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Example Questions

Example Question #5 : Language Structure And Use

Which of the following statements about pragmatic competence is NOT true?

Possible Answers:

Pragmatic competence can often be identified, or tested, in a learner's ability to "hedge" in communication

Pragmatic competence is generally acquired late in a second language learners development

Pragmatic competence refers only to a learner's' output skills, their speech and writing, not their receptive skills (reading and listening)

All of these statements about pragmatic competence are accurate.

Correct answer:

Pragmatic competence refers only to a learner's' output skills, their speech and writing, not their receptive skills (reading and listening)

Explanation:

Pragmatic competence refers to a learner's ability to communicate effectively in all realms of communication (receptive AND output skills). One key to pragmatic competence is that the learner is able to communicate  and understand the nuances of intended meaning in real-time situations. This involves and understanding of "hedging" ("my foot kind of hurts" vs "my foot hurts").

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