THE TEACHING OF COMMUNICATIVE STRATEGIES AND INTERCULTURAL AWARENESS - CORE COMPONENTS FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Abstract

Language plays a crucial role in development and in the global economy. As language and communication are integral to developmental success of a nation it is imperative that language teaching, especially at tertiary levels include in language syllabi:

(a) Notions of communicative strategies and
(b) Models of intercultural processes.

These are essential for effective communication both within and across cultures. Many a developmental project has floundered due to ineffective communication and listening skills, on the part of the interlocutors involved. Communicative strategies serve to compensate for inadequacies in the target language. The paper will discuss the concept of communicative strategies and functional strategies, means by which a speaker, who is not very proficient in the target language, can communicate intent effectively. Knowledge of the wide gamut of resources, speakers and listeners can fall back on, can give a communicator confidence in disseminating or understanding messages. Effective communication is essential for the success of developmental projects.