DEVELOPING COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE: APPROPRIATE CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

EFL classrooms often emphasize grammar instruction, which limits learners' ability to communicate effectively in real-life situations.This study addresses this problem by exploring how communicative competence can be developed through appropriate classroom activities.Drawing on the theoretical foundations of Chomsky (1965), Hymes (1972), and Canale and Swain (1980), it reviews the four components of communicative competence: grammatical, sociolinguistic, discourse, and strategic competence.A qualitative literature review of theoretical and empirical studies was conducted to identify classroom practices that foster these competencies.Findings indicate that activities such as games, role-plays, debates, discussions, and information-gap tasks are effective in enhancing communicative skills when they are learner-centred and reflect real-life communicative needs.The study argues that language teaching must move beyond grammar to emphasize purposeful interaction and contextualized use of language.It concludes that designing meaningful, activity-based instruction is essential for enabling EFL learners to achieve communicative competence.