Implementation of 21st Century Skills in EFL Classroom: Perceptions of Lecturers and Students

Abstract

Twenty-first century skills refer to a broad set of skills that are critically important in the educational system to meet the complex and rapid changes around the world. Of particular concern in the context of Afghanistan is the failure to produce graduates with the essential competencies necessary for success in the workplace. In education, incorporating these skills is important to meet the current and future demands of society. This study investigates Afghan lecturers’ and students’ perceptions toward the implementation of 21st century skills in EFL classrooms. Quantitative approach was used, whereby data were collected through questionnaires from 197 participants at three public universities in Afghanistan. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25 was used for descriptive and inferential analyses. The findings revealed that all of the eight 21st century skills were implemented to some degree in the EFL classrooms. In addition, the level of implementation varied between key skills, subcategories, and specific practices listed within each domain whereby none of the skills were fully and consistently incorporated into the classroom. The findings of this study will provide EFL lecturers and students, educationists, and curriculum developers with insights into implementing 21st century skills at tertiary level education.