Communicative competence, communicative approach and language functions

COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE, COMMUNICATIVE APPROACH AND LANGUAGE FUNCTIONS

AICLE

What is communicative competence?

“Communicative competence may be defined as the ability to function in a truly communicative setting – that is, in a dynamic exchange in with linguistic competence must adapt itself to the total informational input, both linguistic and paralinguistic, of one or more interlocutors”

(Savignon, 1972)

Communicative Competence

Communicative Competence

Strategic Competen

ce

Discourse Competence

Sociolinguistic Comptence

Gramatical Competenc

e

Canale and Swain, 1980)

Communicative Competence Grammatical Competence

Linguistic code: grammar, spelling, pronunciation

Discourse Competence Coherence and cohesion

Strategic Competence Linguistic flexibility and negotiation of

meaning Sociolinguistic Competence

Appropriate to context and function

Language Competence (Bachman)

Language Competence

Organizational

Competence

Grammatical Competence

Textual Comptence

Pragmatic competence

Illocutionary Competence

Sociolinguistic

competence

Language Competence (Bachman) Grammatical Competence

Linguistic code: grammar, spelling, pronunciation

Textual Competence Coherence and cohesion

Illocutionary Competence Language functions

Sociolinguistic competence Adaptation to context: register,

paralinguistic features, cultural differences

Activity One: Which competence is involved?

Vicky, who is American, went to a party with her new Spanish friends. She was very upset when two of the boys at the party kissed her on the cheeks – she had never seen them before in her life!

Miguel was trying to reserve a hotel in France. He had a French-Spanish dictionary and carefully said the words in his best French: “ Je voudrais un chambre pour deux personnes.”

Activity One: Which competence is involved?

Steve’s mother has sent him a recipe for his favourite dish, but she forgot to put the amounts for the ingredients, and the instructions are all jumbled up.

Gunter is an Erasmus student who is giving a presentation in Spanish. Suddenly his mind has gone blank and he can’t remember the word for “president” in Spanish. Instead he says “el lider de un país.”

Communicative Approach

Communication is key Create opportunities for practicing the four basic

skills: Reading and Writing Speaking and Listening

Reflection on learning: Learning how to learn Functions

Sociolinguistic Competence: Cultural topics Pragmatics Paralinguistic Features

Language Functions

Language Functions: A specific reason to use language to meet a

specific need or desire Using language for a communicative

purpose Function and Intention

Task-based learning: Accomplishing a task that requires a

number of coordinated linguistic functions Encourages real communication

Examples of Language Functions Identify Describe Request Imagine Offer to do something Give advice Encourage Persuade

Sample Task: Going to a Restaurant with a friend

Function – Invite friend Function – Request a reservation Function – State preferences in reservation Function – Ask for directions Function – Greet friend Function – Order food Function – State preferences when ordering Function – Compliment/complain/thank Function – Request bill Function – Say goodbye to friend

Activity Two: Communicative Situations

Going to the doctor for a health problem Buying fruit at the supermarket Buying a train ticket Talking to a friend who has a problem Discussing a new film Going clothes shopping