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1CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES A
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Developing communicative competence through using appropriate language and skills Abdullaeva Gulnara
2nd year student of NSPI, The Department of English Language and Literature
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.12706678
ARTICLE INFO Received: 7th July 2024 Accepted:8th July 2024 Published: 10th July 2024
KEYWORDS communicate, linguistic competence, competence, rapport, context, strategic competence
ABSTRACT This article devoted to explore some ways of
communicative competence. There are not
only many learning techniques but also
activities that are usually selected to
enhance language learning and these
activities enhance language learning and
communication skills.
Communicative competence refers to the ability to effectively convey and understand messages in various contexts, using appropriate language and skills. It encompasses not only linguistic proficiency but also sociocultural awareness and strategic competence. Developing communicative competence is essential for successful communication in personal, academic, and professional settings.
The term "communicative competence" was first introduced by Hymes as a sociolinguistic concept in reaction to the concept of linguistic competence which was proposed by Chomsky. Chomsky's concept was "concerned with the tacit knowledge of language structure" but "omits almost everything of socio-cultural, significance" [3;87]. Here are some effective ways to enhance this crucial skill:
1. Practice active listening
Effective communication begins with active listening. This involves not only hearing the words but also understanding the speaker's message, tone, and nonverbal cues. Practice active listening by focusing on the speaker, maintaining eye contact, and paraphrasing or summarizing what you've heard to ensure clarity and understanding.
2. Engage in meaningful conversations
Regularly engaging in conversations with peers, language partners, or native speakers provides practical opportunities to apply and refine communication skills. Participate in discussions on various topics, actively contribute ideas, and practice responding appropriately to different conversational styles and contexts.
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3. Expand vocabulary and language proficiency
A diverse vocabulary and strong command of grammar and syntax are fundamental to communicative competence. Continuously expand your vocabulary through reading, listening to podcasts, and learning new words in context. Pay attention to nuances in language use to enhance clarity and precision in communication.
4. Develop cultural awareness
Understanding cultural norms, values, and communication styles is crucial for effective cross-cultural communication. Learn about cultural diversity through exposure to literature, films, and interactions with individuals from different cultural backgrounds. Respect and adapt to cultural differences to avoid misunderstandings and build rapport.
5. Seek and provide constructive feedback
Feedback plays a pivotal role in improving communicative competence. Seek feedback from peers, mentors, or language instructors to identify areas for improvement in language use, pronunciation, and overall communication effectiveness. Similarly, offer constructive feedback to others to facilitate mutual learning and growth.
6. Practice public speaking and presentation skills
Confident public speaking is a hallmark of communicative competence. Practice delivering presentations, speeches, or pitches to develop clarity, coherence, and persuasive skills. Focus on organizing your thoughts, using visual aids effectively, and engaging your audience to convey your message with impact.
7. Use technology and multimedia resources
Utilize technology and multimedia resources to enhance communication skills. Engage in online forums, virtual language exchanges, or language learning apps that offer interactive exercises, pronunciation tools, and real-time feedback. Incorporate multimedia such as videos and podcasts to improve listening comprehension and pronunciation.
8. Cultivate empathy and adaptability
Effective communicators demonstrate empathy by understanding others' perspectives and emotions. Cultivate empathy by actively listening, showing genuine interest in others' viewpoints, and responding with sensitivity. Adapt your communication style to suit different audiences and situations to foster meaningful connections and mutual understanding.
9. Continuously reflect and improve
Reflecting on your communication experiences and identify areas for improvement. Keep a language journal to track progress, set realistic goals for language development, and monitor your achievements over time. Actively seek opportunities to learn from mistakes and refine your communication strategies accordingly.
These strategies that enhance language learning are usually communication-based and task-based and are usually related to the language and its structure, and in developing communication skills and enabling communication skills compared to imitation, memorization, and repetitive strategies that are not related to the use of that language. It plays a big role. A new trend in the last third of the last century was the emergence of communicative language teaching approaches that encourage teaching English through communication or the use of that language[2;47]. In the following we will look through the
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CENTRAL ASIAN JOURNAL OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT STUDIES A
components of communicative competence in the framework introduced by Canale and Swain.
- Grammatical competence: This competence includes knowledge of lexical items, rules of morphology, syntax, grammar and phonology. This knowledge is similar to Hymes' linguistic competence and considered as a part of the communicative competence as it represents the underlying system of the language and how to determine and express accurately the literal meaning of the utterance.
- Sociolinguistic competence: This component of the communicative competence is made up of sociocultural rules of language use. This knowledge is very important in interpreting and producing utterances in social context. The knowledge of social rules is essential for producing and understanding utterances that are appropriate to the context in which language is used. It is similar to sociolinguistic competence in Hymes' model of communicative competence.
- Strategic competence: This component is made up of verbal and non-verbal communication strategies that may be called into action to compensate for breakdowns in communication. These communication breakdowns may be due to insufficient linguistic or sociolinguistic competence.
- Discourse competence: A component added by Canale that represents the ability to combine language structures and language functions into a coherent and cohesive text.[1;14]
In conclusion, the effectiveness of communication competence is improved through the development of discourse, sociolinguistic, grammatical and strategic competences and it can be vital part of learning process also we can achieve positive results. Developing communicative competence is a dynamic process that requires dedication, practice, and a willingness to learn and adapt. By incorporating these strategies into your daily routine, you can enhance your ability to communicate effectively across various contexts and achieve greater confidence in expressing ideas, building relationships, and navigating diverse cultural landscapes. Embrace the journey of continuous improvement in communication skills to thrive personally and professionally in an increasingly interconnected world.
References:
1. Canale, Michael, and Merrill Swain. "Theoretical bases of communicative approaches to second language teaching and testing. «Applied linguistics 1.p14
2. Canale, Michael. "From communicative competence to communicative language pedagogy. «Language and communication 1.p 1-47.
3. Hymes, D., "On communicative competence" p 87. In I. B. Pride & J.
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