Literature Review of Using Digital Platforms in Enhancing Undergraduate Students’ Communicative Competence

Abstract

This study aims to review the literature on the use of digital platforms on enhancing communicative competence of EFL students. The review has focused on the utilization of all technology-enhanced learning and teaching mediums which included mobile learning, ICT, AI, the study time-frame ranged between 2010-2023. All the studies focusing on the four components of communicative competence (linguistic, discourse, strategic, and sociolinguistic). The findings of the study revealed that a plethora of studies has been conducted on the global context. It was noticed that in majority of the studies, digital platforms had a positive and significant impact on students’ learning of communicative competence. However, most of the studies has focused on one component of communicative competence namely linguistic competence. The study has mainly used the experimental design in conducting the methodology followed by mix-method approach. High school students were the main sample in majority of the reviewed studies while only few studies focused on undergraduate students. Finally, the number of studies focusing on EFL students is higher than the studies focusing on native speakers’ students. The findings of the review offer significant implications to the management of the university to gain benefit from the experiences of other universities and countries.