1. What does it mean to think critically
about something?
2. What is the role of critical thinking in
education?
3. How does (or doesn’t) critical
thinking fit into EFL/ESL classes?
4. What kinds of classroom activities
can help students to improve their
critical thinking skills?
A couple of quotes
Everyone thinks. It is in
our nature to do so. But
so much of our thinking,
left to itself, is biased,
distorted, partial,
uninformed, or downright
prejudiced. Yet the
quality of our life and that
of what we produce
depends on the quality of
our thought.
-Richard Paul
Critical thinking begins
when people make the
connections between
their individual lives and
social conditions. It ends
one step beyond
perception – towards the
actions people take to
regain control over social
structures detrimental to
their lives.
-Susan Benesch
Stephen Brookfield: 4 components of
Critical Thinking
1. Identifying and challenging assumptions
is central to critical thinking.
2. Critical thinkers are able to understand
and analyze the context of information.
3. Critical thinkers try to imagine and
explore alternatives.
4. Imagining and exploring alternatives
leads to critical awareness.
1. Identifying and challenging
assumptions is central to critical
thinking.
Critical thinkers realize that ideas, actions,
and beliefs are not necessarily right just
because someone in a position of
authority tells them they are or because
“we’ve always done it this way in the past.”
Example: Galileo
2. Understanding and challenging
context is crucial to critical thinking.
Critical thinkers understand that actions
and behaviors that we view as appropriate
or inappropriate are connected to the
context of the culture and time in which we
live. Critical thinkers are contextually
aware.
Example: Bribery and corruption
3. Critical thinkers try to imagine
and explore alternatives.
Because critical thinkers understand the
assumptions and context of beliefs, they
are able to consider new ways of thinking
and responding to problems. Critical
thinkers are open to new alternatives, not
closed by the traditions of the past.
Example: University tuition fees
4. Imagining and exploring
alternatives leads to critical
awareness.
People who realize that alternatives
always exist become skeptical of claims of
universal truths or black/white, right/wrong
solutions.
Example: George Bush and Saddam
Hussein
How I became interested in critical
thinking
Living in China for two years and
observing the Confucian education model
Teaching international students at
university in America
Training educators in Albania
What is the point of education?
To transfer a fixed set of
knowledge to students?
To help students
understand the values
and traditions of previous
generations?
To provide society with a
way to evaluate young
peoples’ abilities?
To promote an interest in
life-long, self-directed
learning?
To prepare students to be
as successful as possible
in their futures?
To give students the tools
they need to create their
own futures?
To create active and
informed citizens of their
country and the world?
Critical thinking in the EFL/ESL
classroom
How it makes classes better
1. Classes are more interesting and
engaging
2. It creates a sense of community and
cohesiveness in the classroom
3. Students are empowered to think and
question
Classroom Example: Two possible
discussion topics related to a unit
on the environment
1. In groups, students
summarize the main
issues covered in
the unit in
preparation for a
final writing activity
on the environment
2. Students outline the
draft of a letter to be
sent to the city’s
mayor addressing
their concerns about
environmental
issues in and around
the city
Two things EFL/ESL teachers need
to keep in mind when getting
started
1. Knowing the interest of your students is
essential
2. You must teach your students to really
discuss the discussion questions
1. Knowing the interest of your
students is essential
Critical thinking requires student interest
and involvement
You need to know what issues are relevant
to their lives
Students respond better when they believe
teachers are interested in their lives
2. You must teach your students to
really discuss the discussion
questions
All textbooks have the read/discuss format
Teachers often see the questions as
requirements to “get through”
In reality the questions are opportunities to
encourage meaningful thought
Students must be taught and encouraged
to really discuss
Three activities to use in class to
encourage critical thought
Debate
Media Analysis
Problem Solving
Summary and Review
1. What does it mean to
think critically about
something?
 Analyze
 Reflect
 Explore Alternatives
 Challenge
Assumptions
2. What is the role of
critical thinking in
education?
Valuable Life Skill
Prepares students
for future success
Promotes life-long
learning
Summary and Review
3. How does critical
thinking fit into
EFL/ESL classes?
Use of English as a
tool to interact with
the world
Challenges for
students studying
abroad
4. Possible classroom
activities?
Debate
Media Analysis
Problem Solving