THE IMOPTANCE OF TEACHING PRAGMATIC COMPETENCE IN ESL CLASSES.

Abstract

Abstract.
Pragmatic competence is an indispensable element of communicative competence. Whoever
wants to communicate successfully in a foreign language wants to promote their communicative
competence, as well as their pragmatic competence. This article begins with clarifying the
definition of pragmatic competence by referring to other linguists' explanations. Then it
discusses the importance of promoting language learners' pragmatic competence in
communication, and tries to explore the necessity and feasibility of teaching pragmatic
competence in ESL teaching process. Finally, the article proposes some tentative approaches
to promote pragmatic competence in teaching English as a second language.