FORMATION OF THE COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS BY MEANS OF ROLE-PLAYING GAMES

Abstract

The formation of communicative competence in primary school students has become a central pedagogical priority in the context of modern educational standards. However, many teachers continue to encounter the problem of limited student engagement in real communication situations, which reduces opportunities for developing linguistic, sociocultural, and pragmatic skills at an early age. This study examines the potential of role-playing games as an effective method for enhancing communicative competence in young learners. The research focuses on how structured and semi-structured role-play activities create authentic interactional environments that stimulate speech production, encourage cooperation, and foster confidence in communication.
A mixed-methods design was applied, combining pedagogical observation, diagnostic assessment of communicative tasks, analysis of students’ oral speech, and semi-structured interviews with teachers. The sample included primary school students aged 7–10 from three general education schools. Quantitative data were used to measure improvements in vocabulary use, discourse organization, and pragmatic appropriateness, while qualitative data provided insights into students’ motivation and behavioral changes during role-play sessions.
The results show a significant increase in students’ communicative activity, initiative, and willingness to engage in dialogue after regular implementation of role-playing techniques. Students demonstrated improved coherence in speech, better mastery of conversational norms, and greater confidence in expressing personal opinions. Teachers reported that role-play contributed to a positive emotional climate, reduced anxiety, and facilitated peer interaction through cooperative scenarios. These findings confirm that role-playing games serve as an effective and developmentally appropriate pedagogical tool for forming communicative competence in primary school students.