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

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• 1. What does it mean to think critically about
  something?2. What is the role of critical
  thinking in education?3. How does (or doesnt)
  critical thinking fit into EFL/ESL classes?4.
  What kinds of classroom activities can help
  students to improve their critical thinking
  skills?

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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

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Stephen Brookfield 4 components of Critical
Thinking

• Identifying and challenging assumptions is
  central to critical thinking.
• Critical thinkers are able to understand and
  analyze the context of information.
• Critical thinkers try to imagine and explore
  alternatives.
• Imagining and exploring alternatives leads to
  critical awareness.

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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 weve always done it
  this way in the past.
• Example Galileo

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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?

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Critical thinking in the EFL/ESL classroom

• How it makes classes better
• Classes are more interesting and engaging
• It creates a sense of community and cohesiveness
  in the classroom
• Students are empowered to think and question

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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 citys mayor addressing their
  concerns about environmental issues in and around
  the city

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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

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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

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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

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Three activities to use in class to encourage
critical thought

• Debate
• Media Analysis
• Problem Solving

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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

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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