THE ROLE OF SPEAKING ACTIVITIES IN DEVELOPING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' SELF-AWARENESS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSROOM

In higher education, the primary focus is often on academic success and technical competence. However, as emotional intelligence and personal growth become increasingly important in today’s society, universities should also prioritize helping students develop greater self-awareness. This ability is crucial in a rapidly changing world since it fosters adaptability, teamwork and effective leadership. One practical method for enhancing self-awareness is through speaking activities in the classroom. These tasks encourage learners to express their opinions, reflect on their values, convey emotions and participate in meaningful discussions - far beyond basic language practice. This paper contends that when students are actively engaged in speaking exercises, such experiences can greatly contribute to their emotional and personal development.