Аңдатпа
The rapid digitalization of education and the evolving demands of 21st-century teacher competencies necessitate a rethinking of approaches to training future English language teachers. Within this context, collaborative learning in blended environments emerges as a key pedagogical strategy for developing communicative competence, which includes not only language proficiency but also interaction, argumentation, intercultural awareness, and teamwork skills. This study aims to investigate the role of collaborative learning as a factor in the development of communicative competence among future English language teachers based on the perspectives of experienced instructors. A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 12 English language teachers who implement blended learning in higher education. The study’s novelty lies in its comprehensive examination of collaborative learning as a multidimensional pedagogical technology that integrates cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of interaction and in identifying its practical potential through empirical evidence. The findings indicate that collaborative learning fosters dialogue, critical thinking, consensus-building, and responsibility for shared outcomes while significantly transforming the teacher’s role from a transmitter of knowledge to a facilitator and coordinator of collaborative processes. The results also highlight key challenges—such as organizational and psychological barriers and uneven student participation—and emphasize the importance of task design, motivation, and supportive learning environments. The practical significance of the research lies in providing methodological recommendations for integrating collaborative approaches into teacher education curricula, thereby enhancing the professional preparation of future educators for contemporary educational contexts. Keywords: collaborative learning, blended learning, communicative competence, teacher education, facilitation, 21st-century skills, digital tools.