INTEGRATING 21ST-CENTURY SKILLS INTO ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING: EFFECTS ON COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE AND LEARNER ENGAGEMENT

Abstract

The increasing complexity of global communication, technological advancement, and workforce demands has positioned 21st-century skills as a central goal of modern education. In English Language Teaching (ELT), these skills—including communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy—are increasingly integrated into instructional practices to enhance both linguistic competence and real-world readiness. This study explores pedagogical strategies for embedding 21st-century skills into ELT classrooms and examines their impact on learner engagement, language development, and skill acquisition. Using task-based instruction, project-based learning, and technology-supported activities, learners were exposed to interactive, problem-centered language tasks over an academic term. Findings indicate that integrated skill-focused instruction significantly improved communicative fluency, collaborative behaviors, critical reasoning, and learner autonomy. The results support the effectiveness of holistic ELT models that align language learning with contemporary competency development