Factors in Syllabus Design

Abstract

This paper explores widely discussed factors in syllabus design, beginning with a review of conventional elements in language syllabuses. The concept of communication competence is then considered, and difficulties in inter-cultural communication arising from incomplete communicative competence are illustrated. This leads to a consideration of how communicative competence may need to be given more attention in language syllabus design and of what the consequences could be of incorporating specific aspects of communicative competence in the language curriculum.