Enhancing EFL Learners’ Communication Skills: A CEFR-Inspired Approach for High School Students

Authors

  • Shamim Akhter

    Faculty of Education & Liberal Arts (FELA), INTI, International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, Putra Nilai, Nilai 71800, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Khalid Ahmed

    Faculty of Education & Liberal Arts (FELA), INTI, International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, Putra Nilai, Nilai 71800, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Fatimah Tambi

    Faculty of Education & Liberal Arts (FELA), INTI, International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, Putra Nilai, Nilai 71800, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Siti Rokiah Siwok

    Faculty of Education & Liberal Arts (FELA), INTI, International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, Putra Nilai, Nilai 71800, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
  • Chaohai Lin

    School of Foreign Languages, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming 525011, China
  • Musarat Shaheen

    Department of Education, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i5.9182
Received: 21 March 2025 | Revised: 10 April 2025 | Accepted: 21 April 2025 | Published Online: 24 April 2025

Abstract

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) underscores the significance of communicative skills for language learners. The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), established in 2001, regulates the assessment, instruction, and acquisition of languages among global learners, thereby addressing the necessity for universal standards in foreign language education. The CEFR evaluates language learners’ skill levels using a specific set of criteria and serves as a generally recognized standard for language proficiency, providing a reliable system. This study examined the influence of CEFR-aligned speaking activities on enhancing the communicative skills of Kurdish high school EFL learners in Northern Iraq. Contemporary pedagogical approaches have positioned communication competence (CC) as a pivotal element, with a significant focus on the improvement of EFL students’ communicative ability in recent years. A mixed-methods study methodology was utilized, integrating quantitative and qualitative data gathering and analysis techniques. The research comprised 50 high school students divided into experimental (n = 24) and control (n = 26) groups. The post-test results indicated substantial enhancements in the communicative ability of the experimental group. Qualitative findings demonstrated that the CEFR-based materials improved learners’ motivation and self- confidence in engaging and communicating in the target language. This study emphasizes sustainable development education policy improvements.

Keywords:

Communicative Competence; Speaking Skills; CEFR; Motivation; Self-Confidence; Education Policy; Sustainable Development Education

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How to Cite

Akhter, S., Ahmed, K., Tambi, F., Siwok, S. R., Lin, C., & Shaheen, M. (2025). Enhancing EFL Learners’ Communication Skills: A CEFR-Inspired Approach for High School Students. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(5), 213–226. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i5.9182

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 5 (May 2025): In progress

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Article

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Copyright © 2025 Shamim Akhter, Khalid Ahmed, Fatimah Tambi, Siti Rokiah Siwok, Chaohai Lin, Musarat Shaheen

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.