ENGLISH COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE IN PUBLIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS IN VALLEDUPAR

Abstract

In an increasingly globalized world, learning a foreign language has become a necessity. English language teaching is a complex process that requires an appropriate methodology to enable learners to develop the communicative competencies needed to function effectively in any context. Based on this premise, the present study aims to investigate the main difficulties faced by ninth-grade students in public educational institutions in Valledupar when communicating in English as a foreign language. The objective of this article is to support the implementation of the Jclic tool as a teaching strategy for strengthening English communicative competencies through the Participatory Action Research (PAR) methodology, which makes it possible to generate concrete responses to problems identified by researchers and co-researchers on a specific topic. Using a quantitative approach, the results obtained from a survey and a diagnostic test were analyzed. Likewise, following the design and implementation of activities using Jclic, a final test was administered to validate the effectiveness of the tool in improving communicative competencies. The results indicate that the use of the Jclic tool was appropriate and effective, as students' motivation levels increased when Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) were integrated into classroom activities. Among the conclusions, the study highlights its positive social impact, evidenced by changes in students’ attitudes, improvements in the pedagogical environment and interpersonal relationships, and consequently, enhanced academic performance among students in public educational institutions in Valledupar.