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EFL Curriculum and Pedagogical Practices as Drivers of Learner Competence, Emotional Well-Being, Intercultural Sensitivity and Classroom Engagement

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Title: EFL Curriculum and Pedagogical Practices as Drivers of Learner Competence, Emotional Well-Being, Intercultural Sensitivity and Classroom Engagement
Language: English
Authors: Lei Pan (ORCID 0000-0002-6044-0978), Ming Xu (ORCID 0009-0007-0076-9978), Yonghe Xiao (ORCID 0000-0001-5216-3715), Zijun Wang (ORCID 0009-0007-6550-7864)
Source: European Journal of Education. 2026 61(2).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Descriptors: English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Well Being, Psychological Patterns, Multicultural Education, Learner Engagement, Teaching Methods, Cultural Awareness, Communicative Competence (Languages), Secondary School Students, Curriculum Development, Second Language Instruction
DOI: 10.1111/ejed.70689
ISSN: 0141-8211
1465-3435
Abstract: This study examined how curriculum orientation and pedagogical practices relate to communicative competence, emotional well-being and intercultural sensitivity through the mediating role of classroom engagement in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. Drawing on communicative language teaching, intercultural competence theory and positive psychology, the study proposed and tested a structural model that integrates institutional, instructional and psychological dimensions of language learning. Data were collected from 780 secondary-level EFL learners using validated self-report instruments. The data were analysed through structural equation modelling. The findings indicate that curriculum orientation significantly predicts pedagogical practices and student engagement. Pedagogical practices show direct positive effects on communicative competence, emotional well-being and intercultural sensitivity. Classroom engagement partially mediates the relationships between instructional variables and learner outcomes. The results suggest that curriculum intentions influence learner development when they are enacted through interactive and collaborative teaching practices that foster sustained engagement. The study contributes to EFL research by offering an integrated model that connects curriculum design with multidimensional learner outcomes. It highlights the need for alignment among policy, pedagogy and learner experience in order to promote both linguistic and socio-emotional development. Practical implications are discussed for curriculum planners, teacher educators and classroom practitioners.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506884
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: EFL Curriculum and Pedagogical Practices as Drivers of Learner Competence, Emotional Well-Being, Intercultural Sensitivity and Classroom Engagement
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lei+Pan%22">Lei Pan</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6044-0978">0000-0002-6044-0978</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ming+Xu%22">Ming Xu</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0076-9978">0009-0007-0076-9978</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yonghe+Xiao%22">Yonghe Xiao</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5216-3715">0000-0001-5216-3715</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zijun+Wang%22">Zijun Wang</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6550-7864">0009-0007-6550-7864</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22European+Journal+of+Education%22"><i>European Journal of Education</i></searchLink>. 2026 61(2).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: 13
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22English+%28Second+Language%29%22">English (Second Language)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Learning%22">Second Language Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Well+Being%22">Well Being</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+Patterns%22">Psychological Patterns</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Multicultural+Education%22">Multicultural Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learner+Engagement%22">Learner Engagement</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teaching+Methods%22">Teaching Methods</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Awareness%22">Cultural Awareness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communicative+Competence+%28Languages%29%22">Communicative Competence (Languages)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Students%22">Secondary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Curriculum+Development%22">Curriculum Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Second+Language+Instruction%22">Second Language Instruction</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1111/ejed.70689
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  Data: 0141-8211<br />1465-3435
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: This study examined how curriculum orientation and pedagogical practices relate to communicative competence, emotional well-being and intercultural sensitivity through the mediating role of classroom engagement in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. Drawing on communicative language teaching, intercultural competence theory and positive psychology, the study proposed and tested a structural model that integrates institutional, instructional and psychological dimensions of language learning. Data were collected from 780 secondary-level EFL learners using validated self-report instruments. The data were analysed through structural equation modelling. The findings indicate that curriculum orientation significantly predicts pedagogical practices and student engagement. Pedagogical practices show direct positive effects on communicative competence, emotional well-being and intercultural sensitivity. Classroom engagement partially mediates the relationships between instructional variables and learner outcomes. The results suggest that curriculum intentions influence learner development when they are enacted through interactive and collaborative teaching practices that foster sustained engagement. The study contributes to EFL research by offering an integrated model that connects curriculum design with multidimensional learner outcomes. It highlights the need for alignment among policy, pedagogy and learner experience in order to promote both linguistic and socio-emotional development. Practical implications are discussed for curriculum planners, teacher educators and classroom practitioners.
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1506884
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        Value: 10.1111/ejed.70689
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      – Text: English
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      – SubjectFull: English (Second Language)
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      – SubjectFull: Second Language Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Well Being
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      – SubjectFull: Psychological Patterns
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      – SubjectFull: Communicative Competence (Languages)
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      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Students
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      – SubjectFull: Curriculum Development
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      – SubjectFull: Second Language Instruction
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      – TitleFull: EFL Curriculum and Pedagogical Practices as Drivers of Learner Competence, Emotional Well-Being, Intercultural Sensitivity and Classroom Engagement
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