Decoding Implicatures in Political Speech to Strengthen EFL learners' Reasoning

Political discourse, often viewed as complex, provides a valuable context for developing linguistic reasoning skills. This study explores how students engage with implicatures in political texts and assesses how these activities foster their linguistic reasoning abilities. Utilizing a qualitative design and discourse analysis, the research involved third-year English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students who were tasked with identifying implicatures, explaining their meanings, and reflecting on their interpretations of political speeches. Data were collected through observations of student work and interviews. The findings reveal that most students successfully recognized both conventional and conversational implicatures through marking and translation strategies. Those who provided deeper interpretations were able to create connections between different parts of the text and relate the content to personal experiences, which helped them articulate their reasoning logically. Additionally, students drew inferences regarding the speaker's intentions and the deeper implications of their words, encouraging them to interpret underlying meanings and societal implications—essential components of critical thinking. This process is closely linked to evaluating linguistic ideas, as a reflective approach further enhances their ability to interpret context and draw meaningful conclusions. Collectively, these findings highlight the significant role of meaning-making in cultivating robust linguistic reasoning skills