Against the backdrop of cultivating core competencies, secondary English education is undergoing a major transformation from knowledge transmission to the development of abilities and character. Contextual teaching, by creating authentic, meaningful, and highly interactive language scenarios, builds a crucial bridge for achieving the four core competencies: language proficiency, cultural awareness, critical thinking, and learning skills. This paper analyzes the intrinsic connection between core competencies and situational teaching. Drawing on the practical realities of secondary English education, it comprehensively explains the practical methods of situational teaching guided by core competencies. This is achieved through three dimensions: principles of scenario construction, specific classroom implementation models, and multidimensional evaluation of student competency development. The aim is to provide insights for enhancing the educational effectiveness of English instruction.