ENHANCING STUDENTS’ POLITICAL DISCOURSE IN ENGLISH AT THE C1 PROFICIENCY LEVEL
Keywords:
Political discourse; C1 proficiency; English as a foreign language; discourse competence; critical thinking; communicative skills; higher education.Abstract
The mastery of political discourse in English is an essential component of students’
academic and professional development in the context of globalization and international
communication. Political discourse encompasses rhetorical strategies, persuasive techniques, critical
argumentation, and intercultural sensitivity, all of which demand a high level of linguistic competence.
This paper explores the enhancement of students’ political discourse skills in English at the C1
proficiency level, where learners are expected to demonstrate advanced accuracy, fluency, and
pragmatic competence. The study emphasizes the theoretical foundations of discourse competence,
identifies the main linguistic and cultural challenges, and proposes pedagogical strategies such as
debate-based learning, role-playing, CLIL methodology, and critical discourse analysis. Moreover, the
article highlights the role of higher education institutions in integrating political discourse into
curricula and fostering critical thinking. The findings suggest that improving students’ political
discourse in English at the C1 level not only strengthens their communicative competence but also
prepares them for participation in international academic, diplomatic, and professional settings.
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