Sometimes, even if your grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation are fine, you can still have problems with communication. This area of language is called pragmatics, and is the focus of this course. Pragmatics deals with what is appropriate and inappropriate language for different situations, and how people actually use language to interact with other people. In other words, pragmatics is about understanding why and how people are saying something; not just what they are saying. Studying pragmatics will help you figure out how to make your English sound more natural, and help to not be unknowingly rude.
Conversation management is one area of pragmatics that deals with how speakers participate in conversations. This includes how to start conversations, end conversations, change topics, and generally participate the way you want to. It also includes how to respond when you are listening to someone else speak. Studying this area will give you more control over your conversations.
Course Objectives
Learn how language changes depending on the situation.
Study in detail about apologies, requests, and greetings.
Learn about non-verbal communication.
Learn some gambits - common phrases that have special uses in conversations.
Learn about conversation management strategies.
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