The Use of Illocutionary Force Indicating Devices in the Performance of the Speech Act of Apology by Learners of English as a Foreign Language

Only by conducting research and by introducing linguistic rules of use as a regular part of EFL curricula can we help learners to communicate appropriately in the target language. The inability of EFL learners to use the expressions of politeness appropriately may result in communication breakdowns, conflicts, or misinterpretations. Hence, besides other functions of language, the teaching and designing of EFL curricula should include explicit emphasis on using expressions of politeness in the target language.