THE DEVELOPMENT OF PRAGMATIC COMPETENCE IN EFL LEARNERS

Pragmatic competence is a key component of communicative competence, referring to the ability to use language appropriately in various social and cultural contexts. In English as a Foreign Language (EFL) settings, learners often face difficulties in developing pragmatic skills due to limited exposure to authentic communication. This article explores the development of pragmatic competence in EFL learners by examining major influencing factors and effective instructional strategies. Using a qualitative literature review approach, the study highlights the role of explicit instruction, sociocultural awareness, and communicative practice in fostering pragmatic development. The findings indicate that integrating pragmatics into language teaching significantly improves learners’ communicative effectiveness and reduces pragmatic failure.