EXPECTATIONS AND REALITY OF LEARNER AUTONOMY AND COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE IN PAKISTANI HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: A REVIEW

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to analyse the main factors affecting the learner autonomy and communicative competence of the EFL learners at higher education level in Pakistan. Nowadays, the English language is considered a language of education, business, and research, moreover, English is a medium of instruction in higher education institutions in Pakistan and communication ability and autonomy are regarded highly important skills for the students’ academic success and professional development in the university context. This study has used the literature review and situational analysis approach in order to explore the teaching and learning of the English language at the tertiary level in Pakistan. This study will discuss the present situation of English Language teaching in Pakistan, and the main challenges hindering the skill development of the students. This study has recommendations for the policymakers, teachers, trainers, and students struggling to develop communicative competence and learner autonomy at higher education level in Pakistan. The finding of the study indicates that gap in skill development, low proficiency, improper evaluation, and problematic pedagogy are the main factors affecting skill development in the Pakistani EFL context. Students’ skills can be promoted incompetence and autonomy areas by providing them with interpersonal and physical space in learning the target language.