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Considerations in assessing pragmatic appropriateness in spoken language

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 July 2019

Andrew D. Cohen
Andrew D. Cohen*
Affiliation:
Professor Emeritus, University of Minnesota, USA
*
Email: adcohen@umn.edu
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Abstract

This paper is a revised version of a plenary prompted by the upsurge of interest in the role of pragmatics in teaching, learning, and assessment, and has as its purpose to take a fresh look at recent developments in the assessment of target-language (TL) pragmatics in spoken language. The first issue considered is the question of whether to attempt to assess pragmatics as it unfolds naturally in interactions, and if so, how to do it. Next, micro-level and macro-level factors in the assessment of TL pragmatics are considered. Third, a close look is given to the specific elements of TL pragmatics to assess. Fourth, there is attention to the matter of which instruments are most appropriate for collecting the desired data in the given context. Fifth, issues relating to data analysis are discussed. Finally, matters pertaining to the assessment of classroom instruction are looked at. Recommendations are given as to potentially viable directions for dealing with these issues both in terms of research studies and for assessment of classroom instruction.

Type
Plenary Speech
Information
Language Teaching , Volume 53 , Issue 2 , April 2020 , pp. 183 - 202
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019

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Footnotes

Paper presented as a plenary lecture at the International Conference on Exploring and Assessing Pragmatic Aspects of L1 and L2 Communication: From Needs Analysis through Monitoring to Feedback. Department of Linguistic and Literary Studies, University of Padua, Italy, 25–27 July 2018.

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