INTEGRATING STORYTELLING WITH ROLE-PLAY TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE IN PRIMARY EFL PRIMARY CLASSROOM

Developing true communicative competence in young learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) remains a significant challenge. Traditional methods often fail to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical use. This article proposes the integrated use of storytelling and role-play as an effective strategy to address this issue. Storytelling provides meaningful, context-rich language input, while role-play creates a safe environment for purposeful output. Together, they form a synergistic cycle that enhances all aspects of communicative competence: linguistic, sociolinguistic, discourse, and strategic. Grounded in theories of comprehensible input and social learning, the article also presents a practical three-stage framework for classroom implementation: pre-activity (story presentation), during-activity (role-play preparation), and post-activity (performance and reflection). The study concludes that this integrated approach not only improves students' speaking skills and confidence but also fosters essential 21st-century skills like creativity and collaboration.