This study aims to explore the role of reading in improving communicative competence in EFL learners. For the purpose, characteristics of language ability, that is, language competence in L1 and communicative competence in L2 are discussed. Upon the u...
This study aims to explore the role of reading in improving communicative competence in EFL learners. For the purpose, characteristics of language ability, that is, language competence in L1 and communicative competence in L2 are discussed. Upon the understanding of the language abilities, second language learning theories, mainly Krashen's input hypothesis is reviewed.
Then, the study moves to the discussions of reading process and of reading as the input source for language and culture learning.
The synthesis of each investigation of the three areas of language ability(communicative competence), second language learning, and reading produces the following insights.
First, communicative competence means ability to communicate within the context of the real language situation, which requires the learner understanding of language structure, its proper use in interpersonal situations, and the active engagement of the learner in the language situation. Second. reading, through its practice process, can provide the learner with the linguistic and cultural information she needs for successful L2 communication, as well as the initiative she needs to handle any given language situation.
This study concludes that in EFL learning, where exposure to spoken input is limited, reading can play an effective role in promoting learner-centered language learning, and as a result, can produce communicatively competent users of a foreign language.