DEVELOPING STUDENTS' PRAGMATIC COMPETENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EFL CLASSROOMS: AWARENESS OF SPEECH ACTS AND LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS IN ENGLISH SPEAKING CLASSES

Abstract

The development of pragmalinguistic and sociopragmatic competences is essential in English language teaching (ELT), particularly in enhancing students' communicative effectiveness. This paper examines the significance of raising awareness of speech acts and language functions in English speaking classes. It discusses the theoretical underpinnings of pragmatic instruction, the role of speech acts in communication, and effective pedagogical strategies for fostering these competences. The findings indicate that explicit instruction in pragmatics significantly enhances students' ability to navigate various sociolinguistic contexts, ultimately improving their overall language proficiency.