Implementing humour techniques to develop geoinformatics students’ pragmatic competence in ESP classes

¹ "Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Agricultural Mechanization Engineers" National Research University, Kari Niyazov Street 39, 100000, Tashkent
² Westminster International University in Tashkent, Istikbol Street 12, 100047, Tashkent

^* Corresponding author: aholmatov@wiut.uz

Abstract

This article explores developing pragmatic competence of students who study geoinformatics in ESP classes. Through a mixed method approach of literature review and semi-structured interviews it explores if teachers use humour during the classes, if yes, for what aims they employ humour and specifically if they use humour to enhance students’ pragmatic competence. It was discovered that teachers use humour during the classes often but in an unsystematic way. Besides, they rarely use humour to develop students’ pragmatic skills, despite the fact that they find it useful for that purpose.