Exploring the Impact of Extracurricular Activities on Communicative Competence: The Case Study of EFL Students’ Attitudes at University of Ghardaïa

Abstract

This study explores the impact of extracurricular activities (ECAs henceforth) on the communicative competence of the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students, with a focus on EFL students’ attitudes at Ghardaïa University. While the speaking skill remains a vital component of language proficiency, many learners are constantly struggling with fluency leading them to experience high levels of communication apprehension in both academic and informal settings. ECAs offer a supportive, low-anxiety environment where students can engage in meaningful interaction beyond the constraints of the classroom. Opting for a case study and a descriptive design , this research is carried out via adopting a mixed-methods approach by means of both questionnaires semi-structured interviews. These research instruments were distributed to students from various academic levels at the University of Ghardaïa, and the interviews were conducted with both students and teachers to gather diverse and in depth perspectives. The findings indicate that students generally hold positive attitudes toward the use of ECAs, recognizing their quintessential role in enhancing fluency, building strategic and discourse competence, and significantly reducing communication apprehension. Moreover, students reported increased confidence in using English spontaneously and purposefully in real-world contexts. The study recommends the integration of structured extracurricular programmes within university curricula to foster communicative competence and reduce anxiety associated with speaking in a foreign language.