THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIO LINGUISTIC COMPETENCE IN FORMING PERSPECTIVE FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHERS' PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Sociolinguistic competence is an essential component of communicative competence,
and it entails gaining pragmatic and sociolinguistic information, as well as cultural knowledge
about how to use language linguistically and socially effectively. Recent research, however,
emphasizes the need of developing such communication abilities in prospective EFL instructors
regardless of their level of linguistic understanding. This article addresses how sociolinguistic
competence helps prospective English teachers build their sociolinguistic ability and their
professional development.