Inference: Procedures and Implications for ELT.

This paper explains the importance of inferencing to effective communication, discussing how it is achieved and focusing on English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) education. Part 1, "Background," examines clues provided by speakers and writers, also looking at clues and thinking processes used by listeners and readers in order for successful inferencing to occur. It draws upon pragmatics, discourse analysis, and psycholinguistics, offering examples of effective and ineffective communication and discussing the use of specific clues and procedures. Part 2, "Implications for ELT," examines implications for the learning and teaching of ESL, focusing on ESL materials and cultural content, grammar, lexis, listening and reading, lexical inference, and speaking and writing. (Contains 32 references.) (SM)