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Foreign Language And Discourse Analysis

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Learning a foreign language is an incredible journey that introduces language learners to much more than new words, sounds, expressions, and different grammatical structures they will be using to communicate with others. As language teachers, it is essential that we make language learners aware of all the nuances that accompany a new language such as gestures, intonations, collocations, register, among other elements. Grammatical instruction is not enough for successful second language acquisition and discourse analysis helps us focus on how native speakers use the language as it occurs naturally. Because languages are embedded with cultural and contextual aspects, failure to fully grasp them may result in communicative …show more content…

Discourse analysis studies how language is used in texts and conversations, and sees “language beyond the sentence” (Yule, 2010). It is an excellent tool that allows us to explore language and how it is used according to context both in and out of the classroom. We need to present our student authentic examples of how native speakers use the target language naturally. As English language teachers we need to take into account all the implications that discourse analysis has in the construction of meaning for language learners. It is especially important when dealing with English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and English for Academic Purposes (EAP), notably the particular language or discourse used in specific areas as to avoid problems in meaning and …show more content…

Regarding pragmatic competence, The Common European Framework of Reference (2001) describes it as “the ability to use the correct linguistic structure but also in the appropriate contexts.” In other words, it is not just dominating the linguistic code of the target language, but knowing the rules of how to use the language in order to produce utterances that have both coherence and cohesion fitting to the specific context or situation. Language learners sometimes transfer ‘behaviors’ from their native language to the second language, however, social pragmatic differences between the two languages may affect communication. Body language, proximity, register and other elements which are acceptable or normal in the context of their native culture might seem out of place and could be considered rude by English native speakers. Second language learners need to understand how to identify these differences and integrate them into their learning process to have a better understanding of the

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