However, the MoE's adoption of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) provided institutions, schools, and the general public with a reference for various levels of language competence and testing requirements (Council of Europe 2001).
The conceptual framework of our work underlines the importance of some language characteristics and communicative strategies used by adults when interacting with children in different contexts for the development of language competence.
Bachman (1990) describes "communicative language ability" (p. 84) in terms of language competence, strategic competence and psychophysiological mechanisms.
In this model, strategic competence can be characterized as the mental repertoire for implementing the components of language competence in contextualized communicative language use.
Secondly, most adults suffering infarcts in the left hemisphere language areas do in fact recover at least some degree of language competence and many recover substantially normal competence, especially with treatment (Holland et al. 1996).
Thus, it would certainly be interesting to examine other aspects of language competence, such as listening, writing or speaking.
Semantics was assessed using Level 2 of the Figurative Language subtest of the Test of Language Competence.
Pragmatics was assessed using Level 2 of the Making Inferences subtest of the Test of Language Competence.
Additionally, the Figurative Language subtest from the Test of Language Competence-Expanded Edition (TOLC-E [ 55]) assessed figurative language, and the Nonword Repetition subtest of the Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing (CTOPP [ 56]) captured phonological processing.
Four major themes emerged: level of English language competence, feelings of isolation, limited opportunities for learning, and inadequate university support.
