摘要：The present study set out to explore advanced Serbian EFL learners’ metapragmatic awareness as one of the key elements in their set of competences as future language professionals (EFL teachers, translators and interpreters), specifically focusing on their awareness of the relevant sociopragmatic factors and pragmalinguistic resources in English. Due to the nature of the topic of investigation, the qualitative research paradigm was chosen and two data collection methods were employed: the metapragmatic awareness interview and the verbal protocol, which were additionally supported by the researcher’s field notes. The results show that the fifteen study participants are aware of a number of sociopragmatic factors and pragmalinguistic resources in English, and reveal which pragmalinguistic resources they consider significant and which contextual variables influence their language choices. However, the participants’ ability to confidently discuss metapragmatic issues appears to vary considerably even within such a small sample. The findings suggest that this aspect of students’ competence can be significantly improved, even in highly proficient language learners, and are therefore followed by implications for EFL instruction at the university level.
关键词：Metapragmatic Awareness; Sociopragmatic Knowledge;Pragmalinguistic Knowledge; English as a Foreign Language;Senior-year English Department Students
