Abstract：In the present empirical study on 98 English majors' linguistic competence and pragmatic competence, the author finds that there is a significant correlation between linguistic competence and pragmatic competence, gender differences on pragmatic competence are also found in that female students are much better than that of the male. Then, the author analyzes the research result and proposes that we should cultivate EFL'S linguistic competence and pragmatic competence as well in English teaching, and adopt different teaching method in consideration of gender difference.

Keyword：linguistic competence;pragmatic competence;correlation;gender difference;