Published Article

ABSTRACT

This paper assessed the effect of communicative competence on the self-concept and academic performance of students. It was revealed that communicative competence is the ability to use language, or to communicate, in a culturally-appropriate manner in order to make meaning and accomplish social tasks with efficacy and fluency through extended interactions. The paper went further to review the components of communicative competence as: grammatical competence, sociolinguistic competence, discourse competence, and strategic competence. The paper also reviewed the concept of self-concept and the concept of academic performance. Numerous literature was also reviewed to assert the effect of communicative competencies on self-concept and academic performance. And thus revealed that for excellent academic performance, a student ought to acquire an understanding and a grasp of the subject content. This process of acquiring a command and an understanding of the subject content does not depend merely on memory work but on the level of self-concept and the ability to interact effectively. However, it was concluded that a student who possesses communication skills makes him/her more self-confident and, thus, self-concept indirectly influences academic performance. One of the recommendations was that parents and stakeholders in education must be encouraged to adopt specific techniques and strategies aimed at building a strong positive image for children and having ambitions that are commensurate with their abilities. This will in fact help students feel emotionally and psychologically ready and not overwhelmed by the academic task ahead.

KEYWORDS: Communicative Competence, Self-Concept, Academic Performance and Students