DEVELOPING INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCE THROUGH PROJECT-BASED LANGUAGE TEACHING (PBLT) IN EFL CLASSES
Keywords:
Project-Based Language Teaching, interpersonal competence, EFL, collaboration, communication skills, scaffolding, sociocultural theory, learner interaction.Abstract
This article examines the role of Project-Based Language Teaching (PBLT) in developing interpersonal competence among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. It argues that interpersonal skills—such as collaboration, negotiation, empathy, and communication management—are essential outcomes of communicative language teaching and can be effectively fostered through structured project work. Drawing on sociocultural theory and task-based pedagogy, the article explores how PBLT creates authentic interactional contexts where learners co-construct knowledge, resolve conflicts, and engage in meaningful communication. The discussion highlights the role of teacher scaffolding, peer interaction, and reflective practice in developing interpersonal competence. The article concludes that PBLT offers a powerful pedagogical framework for integrating language development with social and interpersonal skill formation in EFL classrooms.
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