The Role of Critical Thinking in Foreign Language Teaching
Keywords:
Critical thinking, foreign language teaching, communicative competence, learner autonomy, higher-order thinking skills, language acquisition, pedagogyAbstract
In contemporary education, critical thinking has emerged as a fundamental component of effective learning, particularly in foreign language teaching. Beyond linguistic competence, learners are expected to analyze, interpret, and evaluate information in a second or foreign language. This article examines the role of critical thinking in foreign language teaching using the IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) framework. The study explores how integrating critical thinking enhances language proficiency, promotes communicative competence, and fosters learner autonomy. It also identifies key challenges teachers face in implementing critical thinking strategies in language classrooms. The findings suggest that critical thinking significantly contributes to deeper language acquisition, improved problem-solving abilities, and meaningful communication. The article concludes with pedagogical recommendations for incorporating critical thinking into foreign language instruction.
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