Pragmatics is the study of how people use language in their everyday lives. It is different from semantics, syntax, and semiotics in that it focuses on social, cultural, and situational contexts.
Learning about pragmatics can help you understand how to make a difference in your students’ lives. Teaching pragmatic skills can help them communicate their thoughts and feelings in a way that’s appropriate for the situation, and it can also prepare them for careers where they need to be flexible with the ways they speak or write.
The classroom is an excellent place to learn pragmatics because it’s a safe place for learners to try new things. It’s also a great opportunity to practice what they’ve learned in class so that they can apply it when they’re in a real-world setting.
Developing a strong understanding of pragmatics can improve your students’ ability to communicate their thoughts and feelings in an appropriate way, as well as encourage them to adhere to social norms. It can also improve your ability to work with students with special needs, such as those who have autism spectrum disorder.
Understanding how to be pragmatic can also help you make decisions that are based on facts instead of feeling and belief systems. Being a pragmatist means not being rigid about what you believe, and it also means letting go of old beliefs and ideas that don’t work for you anymore if they don’t benefit you or other people.