This course introduces students to the large and fast-growing field of second language research known as interlanguage pragmatics, which explores politeness and appropriateness in a second language. Students explore key issues and findings such as: how do learners’ ways of (e.g.) requesting, apologising, refusing, thanking, complaining or taking leave differ from those of native speakers of the target language? What methods are used to collect data on learner pragmatics, and what are the strengths and drawbacks of each method? What aspects of pragmatics are easiest to learn, and hardest? What factors aid a learner’s acquisition of pragmatics? How well do learners acquire pragmatics in a target culture setting compared to in a foreign language classroom? Why do some individuals learn a lot more pragmatics than others do in a similar setting? How successfully can pragmatics be taught in the classroom?

The course draws on findings from studies of learners of a wide range of target languages in a range of settings. As part of the course students will have the chance to implement their new skills and knowledge by conducting an assignment where they collect a small amount of data on pragmatic performance by learners of a language, and analyse and discuss their findings.

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

1) propose and evaluate explanations for second language learners’ pragmatic behaviour

2) identify the strengths and drawbacks of methods for probing learners’ pragmatic performance

3)  evaluate evidence presented in empirical studies of learner pragmatics, with the aid of guiding questions,

4)  construct a simple written tool to obtain data on a learner’s performance of a common speech act (e.g. requests)

5) collect and analyse a sample of data on a learner's performance of a common speech act (e.g. requests)

- one 3000 word assignment based on data collection and analysis  (40%) [Learning Outcomes 1, 4 & 5]

- 1000 words of written contributions to on-line discussion forum (25%) [Learning Outcomes 1, 2 & 3]

- one final written exam (35%) [Learning Outcomes 1, 2 & 3]

Ten hours a week, consisting of two hours of seminars + one hour of on-line activity + 6-7 hours of related work.

At least 12 units of 1000-level courses offered in any College.

Assumes some familiarity with the types of differences which may exist across languages, either obtained through study of another language or through study of linguistics.

All essential material will be provided on the course Wattle site.

Suggested preliminary reading: Cross-cultural pragmatics : requests and apologies. Edited by Shoshana Blum-Kulka, Juliane House, Gabriele Kasper. Published Norwood, N.J : Ablex Pub. Corp, 1989

Access to internet.