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The series Trends in Applied Linguistics aims to meet the challenges of the rapidly growing field of applied linguistics. Applied linguistics is understood in a broad sense, by focusing on the application of theoretical linguistics to current problems in different contexts of human society. Given the interdisciplinary character of applied linguistics the series includes cognitive, psycholinguistic, sociolinguistic and educational perspectives.

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Nearly half a century has passed since Hymes proposed the concept of communicative competence to describe the knowledge and skills required for the appropriate use of language in a social context. During these decades, a number of scholars have applied and refined this concept. In language education, communicative competence has been identified as a major objective of learning. This book will inform readers about communicative competence as a highly complex construct encompassing an array of sub-competencies such as linguistic skills and proficiencies, knowledge of socio-cultural and socio-pragmatic codes, and the ability to engage in textual and conversational discourse. Findings from research in related disciplines have pointed to the significance of factors that can contribute to the attainment of communicative competence. Various teaching practices and relevant Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools will be also introduced and discussed to achieve communicative competence as a complex ability. It is a timely contribution to current research on key areas in the teaching, learning and acquisition of second/foreign languages.

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Izumi Walker, Daniel Chan, Masanori Nagami, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Claire Bourguignon, INALCO, France.

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