ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to explore and attempt to define the concept of a successful speaker of English. It discusses the notion of a successful speaker within one main framework: the notion of communicative competence first developed by Hymes. A successful speaker is, we believe, one who can demonstrate all facets of communicative competence at their level and as appropriate for the purpose of the discourse they are taking part in. The chapter suggests that the different aspects of successful speaker can therefore be analyzed by exploring their linguistic, strategic, discourse and pragmatic competence, as outlined by Hymes, Canale and Swain, Canale and Bachman and Palmer and that these competences will vary according to learner's level of English. It outlines why we wish to explore success in general and, in particular, in terms of spoken language. The chapter shows that successful spoken interaction takes place at level of discourse, involves cooperation between speakers and effective listenership, alongside spoken production.
