Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Practice Test 2026 - Free TESOL Practice Questions and Study Guide

Linguistic competence refers to a speaker's implicit knowledge of a language's grammar and structure. This concept, introduced by linguist Noam Chomsky, encompasses the mental capacities that enable an individual to produce and comprehend an infinite number of sentences, including those that are novel or have not been previously encountered. This knowledge includes understanding syntax, morphology, phonology, and semantics, which together allow a speaker to generate and interpret a wide range of utterances.

In the context of language learning, linguistic competence is foundational as it forms the basis for effective communication. While fluency in conversation, vocabulary knowledge, and writing skills are important aspects of language proficiency, they are often seen as manifestations of a deeper understanding of the underlying rules and structures of the language, which is linguistic competence. Therefore, focusing on developing this implicit understanding is crucial for learners aiming to achieve overall proficiency in a language.