ERIC Number: EJ1129184
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Jan
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0215-773X
EISSN: N/A
Critical Thinking Skills for Language Students
Djiwandono, Patrisius Istiarto
TEFLIN Journal: A publication on the teaching and learning of English, v24 n1 p32-47 Jan 2013
Recent developments in language teaching increasingly put a stronger importance on critical thinking skills. While studies in this area have begun to emerge, it is believed that a probe into the learners' mind when they process information can contribute significantly to the effort of identifying exactly how our learners think. This study was conducted partly to seek the answers to the issue. A brief training on critical thinking and critical attitude was given to a group of language learners who were studying Business Correspondence. Questionnaires were then used to capture traces of their thinking as they were preparing to accomplish a learning task and while they were listening to their classmates' presentation of ideas. The data show the change of their thinking process. After the training there is a tendency from the students to ask more critical questions with slightly higher frequencies. It is concluded then that the brief training has prompted their awareness of critical thinking.
Descriptors: Critical Thinking, Teaching Methods, English (Second Language), Second Language Instruction, Second Language Learning, Business Communication, Student Attitudes, Thinking Skills, Questionnaires, Quasiexperimental Design, Foreign Countries, College Students, Letters (Correspondence)
Association for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language in Indonesia (TEFLIN). Malang, East Java, 65145, Indonesia. TEFLIN Publication Division, Department of English, Faculty of Letters, Universitas Negeri Malang, Jalan Semarang 5, Tel: +62-341-570566; Fax: +62-341-567475; e-mail: journal@teflin.org; Web site: http://journal.teflin.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Indonesia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A