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Before delving into specific pragmatic behaviors of the target language, it can be very helpful to get learners thinking about pragmatic issues in their own language.  This activity targets speakers of English, but could be adapted for expert speakers of any language.

Objective:       To introduce beginning level learners to interlanguage pragmatics.

Resources:      A Introduction to Pragmatics (click here to download)

Procedure:    

1. Work as a class to brainstorm situations in which pragmatic knowledge is important.  Some specific examples could include:

• Asking someone to switch seats on a plane or a bus. Is it appropriate to ask? If so, what do you say and how do you ask?
• Greeting people. How do you decide what to say?
• Apologizing for breaking something. How do you decide when and how to apologize? What do you actually say?
• Complimenting a friend or coworker. Is it appropriate to give a compliment in this instance? If so, what do you say? How might what you say vary?

2. Use the previous discussion to have learners work in groups of three to complete the activities on the Introduction to Pragmatics Resource Sheet.

3. As a class, make a list of areas where pragmatic missteps might be especially tricky in the target language.  For example, in Chinese, the overuse of thank you could be problematic for learners or in Spanish the use of lo siento to apologize might not convey a proper apology.