EFL College Students’ Self-Reported of Their Sociolinguistic Competence

This study aims to assess the level of sociolinguistic competence among EFL college students using self-reported questionnaire. The study draws its problem from the phenomenon of sociolinguistic competence as integral part of appropriateness in communication and aims to understand the reasons for language learning difficulties related to sociolinguistic competence in Iraqi EFL students. The study provides a theoretical background about sociolinguistics, including the concept of sociolinguistic competence, its evolution, Speech Act Theory, and its connection to the speech act of request. The study presents the methods and tools used for data collection and analysis, the population and sample of the study, and the statistical means used for data analysis. The study is essential as it seeks to understand the reasons for the language learning difficulties experienced by foreign national students, which are related to sociolinguistic competence, motivation, and cultural factors. The study hopes that the findings of the study will contribute to the development of effective language teaching methods and materials that address the sociolinguistic competence of EFL college students.