Abstract: The major objective of learning a foreign language is to cultivate learners’ communicative competence, which is not only dependent on learner’ linguistic competence but also their pragmatic competence. The present study conducts a survey on English majors’ pragmatic competence. It attempts to investigate the current situation of English majors’ pragmatic competence, and to explore the relationship between pragmatic competence and linguistic competence. The results show that English majors’ general level of pragmatic competence is relatively low, and the rate of pragmalinguistic failure is a little lower than the rate of sociopragmatic failure. The results also reveal that their English pragmatic competence is significantly related to their English linguistic competence. Based on the findings of the study, some suggestions on how to cultivate learners’ pragmatic competence are put forward. 

Key words: pragmatic competence; linguistic competence; English majors

CONTENTS

Abstract

摘要

1. Introduction-1

2.Pragmagtic Competence-2

2.1 Definition of Pragmatic Competence

2.2 Classification of Pragmatic Competence

3. Research Design-3

3.1 Research Questions

3.2 Subjects

3.3 Instruments

3.4 Data Collection and Analysis

4. Results and Discussion-4

4.1 Current Situation of English Majors’ Pragmatic Competence

4.2 The Relationship Between English Majors’ Linguistic Competence and Pragmatic Competence

5. Suggestions on Cultivating Pragmatic Competence-9

5.1 Teaching Pragmatic Knowledge in Class

5.2 Integrating Cultural Knowledge in Teaching

5.3 Teaching Language in Context

5.4 Increasing Exposure to Authentic Materials

6. Conclusion-11

Bibliography-13

Appendix-14

Acknowledgements-21