DEVELOPING COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE IN FUTURE ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHERS: STRATEGIES, CHALLENGES, AND PEDAGOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

This article comprehensively examines the critical role of communicative competence in shaping the professional identity of future English language teachers. It underscores the necessity of integrating intercultural communication skills with linguistic proficiency to prepare teachers for increasingly multicultural classrooms. Through a mixed-methods research design involving surveys, interviews, and classroom observations, this study identifies prevailing challenges faced by trainee teachers in acquiring effective communication culture. Furthermore, it proposes innovative pedagogical strategies that emphasize experiential learning, cultural sensitivity, and learner autonomy. The findings contribute to curriculum development discussions and highlight the need for systemic changes in teacher education programs.