Contemporary issues of science and education (Современные проблемы науки и образования). Учебное пособие
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Topic 15. Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in the ESL Classroom
thinking about its procedures at the same time as it involves thinking about its subject matter» (Lipman, 2003).
Awareness of context. This is an important aspect of critical thinking. As stated by Diane Halpern in Thought and Knowledge: An Introduction to Critical
Thinking, «The critical thinker is using skills that are thoughtful and effective for the particular context and type of thinking task» (Halpern, 1996).
What are the elements of critical thinking?
Several elements go into the process of critical thinking:
1.Identifying the problem. If critical thinking is viewed mainly as a goaloriented activity, the first element is to identify the issue or problem one wants to solve. However, the critical thinking process can be triggered simply by observation of a phenomenon that attracts our attention and warrants an explanation.
2.Researching and gathering of information that is relevant to the object of inquiry. One should gather diverse information and examine contrasting points of view to achieve comprehensive knowledge on the given topic.
3.Evaluation of biases. What biases can we identify in the information that has been gathered in the research phase? But also, what biases do we, as learners, bring to the information-gathering process?
4.Inference. What conclusions can be derived by an examination of the information? Can we use our preexisting knowledge to help us draw conclusions?
5.Assessment of contrasting arguments on an issue. One looks at a wide range of opinions and evaluates their merits.
6.Decision-making. Decisions should be based on the above.
Why is critical thinking important in ESL teaching?
The teaching of critical thinking skills plays a pivotal role in language instruction. Consider the following:
Language is the primary vehicle for the expression of thought, and how we organize our thoughts is closely connected with the structure of our native language. Thus, critical thinking begins with reflecting on language. To help students understand how to effectively structure and express their thinking processes in English, ESL teachers need to incorporate critical thinking in English Language Teaching (ELT) in an inclusive and interesting way.
For ESL students to reach their personal, academic, or career goals, they need to become proficient in English and be able to think critically about issues
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Topic 15. Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in the ESL Classroom
that are important to them. Acquiring literacy in English goes hand in hand with developing the thinking skills necessary for students to progress in their personal and professional lives. Thus, teachers need to prioritize the teaching of critical thinking skills.
Tasks
Task 1. Review the information in the text. Please explain the meaning of the following terms: inquisitiveness, media-dominated world, scientific mindset, goal-directed thinking, reflective thinking, the object of inquiry, evaluation of biases.
Task 2. Read the article again and complete the sentences with information from the text.
1.Many ancient Greek philosophers such as _______________spoke about the importance of critical thinking.
2.According to Socrates, critical thinking is ___________in the educational process.
3.John Dewey made critical thinking _____________________________.
4.According to many teachers, critical thinking is necessary for students in order to _________________________________________________________.
5.Critical thinking skills are ______________________ in the 21st century.
6.Refleсtive thinking allows to recognize the factors that ______________.
7.Diane Halpern believes that the critical thinker uses skills that ________.
8.The first element of critical thinking as the purposeful activity is _______.
9.At the stage of collecting information, the researcher needs to _________.
10.One looks at ______________________________________ at the stage of Assessment of contrasting arguments on the issue.
11.In order for students to effectively structure their thoughts in a foreign language, teachers need to __________________________________________.
12.Students should not only be very proficient in a foreign language, but also be able to _______________________________________________________.
Task 3. Answer the questions about the content of the article.
1. Which Greek philosophers spoke about the importance of critical thinking in ancient times?
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Topic 15. Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in the ESL Classroom
2.Why is critical thinking necessary for students in the world dominated by the media?
3.What is John Dewey's definition of critical thinking?
4.Why is critical thinking called goal-oriented thinking?
5.What is reflective thinking from Matthew Lipman's point of view?
6.Why does Diane Halpern consider understanding context to be an important aspect of critical thinking?
7.What elements does the process of critical thinking include?
8.What is the evaluation of biases in the process of critical thinking?
9.How can one describe the assessment of conflicting elements as a stage of critical thinking?
10.Why is mastering English inextricably linked to developing critical thinking skills?
Task 4. Express your point of view on the following issue: What do you think of Socrates' famous quote: «Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel»?
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Topic 15. Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in the ESL Classroom
Topic 16
DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS IN THE ESL CLASSROOM
How do ESL students develop critical thinking skills?
Establishing an effective environment. The first step in assisting the development of critical thinking in language learning is to provide an environment in which students feel supported and willing to take risks. To express one’s thoughts in another language can be a considerable source of anxiety. Students often feel exposed and judged if they are not yet able to communicate effectively in English.
Thus, the teacher should strive to minimize the «affective filter». This concept, first introduced by Stephen Krashen, posits that students’ learning outcomes are strongly influenced by their state of mind. Students who feel nervous or anxious will be less open to learning. They will also be less willing to take the risks involved in actively participating in class activities for fear that this may expose their weaknesses.
One way to create such an environment and facilitate students’ expression is to scaffold language so students can concentrate more on the message/content and less on grammar/accuracy.
Applying context. As mentioned above, an important aspect of critical thinking is context. The information doesn’t exist in a vacuum but is always received and interpreted in a specific situational and cultural environment. Because English learners (ELs) come from diverse cultural and language backgrounds and don’t necessarily share the same background as their classmates and teacher, it is crucial for the teacher to provide a context for the information transmitted. Contextualization helps students to understand the message properly.
Asking questions. One of the best ways to stimulate critical thinking is to ask questions. According to Benjamin Bloom’s taxonomy (Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, 1956), thinking skills are divided into lower-order and higherorder skills. Lower-order skills include knowledge, comprehension, and application; higher-order skills include analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. To stimulate critical thinking in ELT, teachers need to ask questions that address both levels of thinking processes.
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Topic 16. Development and Application of Critical Thinking Skills in the ESL…
How can we implement critical thinking skills in the ESL classroom?
Several activities can be used in the ESL classroom to foster critical thinking skills. Teaching critical thinking examples include:
1.Activities that scaffold language and facilitate students’ expression.
These can be as basic as posting lists of important English function words like conjunctions, personal and demonstrative pronouns, question words, etc., in the classroom. Students can refer to these tables when they need help to express their thoughts in a less simplistic way or make explicit the logical relation between sentences (because… therefore; if… then; although… however, etc.). There are a variety of methods to introduce new vocabulary based on student age, proficiency level, and classroom experience.
2.Activities that encourage students to make connections between their preexisting knowledge of an issue and the new information presented. One such exercise consists of asking students to make predictions about what will happen in a story, a video, or any other context. Predictions activate the students’ preexisting knowledge and encourage them to link it with the new data, make inferences, and build hypotheses.
3.Change of perspective and contextualization activities. Asking students to put themselves in someone else’s shoes is a challenging but fruitful practice that encourages them to understand and empathize with other perspectives. It creates a different cultural and emotional context or vantage point from which to consider an issue. It helps assess the merit of contrasting arguments and reach a more balanced conclusion.
One way of accomplishing this is to use a written text and ask students to rewrite it from another person’s perspective. This automatically leads students to adopt a different point of view and reflect on the context of the communication. Another is to use roleplay. This is possibly an even more effective activity. In role-play, actors tend to identify more intimately with their characters than in a written piece. There are other elements that go into acting, like body language, voice inflection, etc., and they all need to reflect the perspective of the other.
4.Collaborative activities. Activities that require students to collaborate also allow them to share and contrast their opinions with their peers and cooperate in problem-solving (which, after all, is one of the goals of critical thinking). Think/write-pair-share is one such activity. Students are asked to work out a problem by themselves and then share their conclusions with their peers. The
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Topic 16. Development and Application of Critical Thinking Skills in the ESL…
collaborative approach to learning engages a variety of language skill sets, including conversational skills, problem-solving, and conflict resolution, as well as critical thinking.
In today’s educational and societal context, critical thinking has become an important tool for sorting out information, making decisions, and solving problems. Critical thinking in language learning and the ESL classroom helps students to structure and express their thoughts effectively. It is an essential skill to ensure students’ personal and professional success.
Tasks
Task 1. Review the information in the text. Please explain the meaning of the following terms: effective environment, contextualization, Benjamin
Bloom’s taxonomy, classroom experience, preexisting knowledge, roleplay, think / write-pair-share activity.
Task 2. Read the article again and complete the sentences with information from the text.
1.Creating an effective environment in which _________________ promotes the development of critical thinking when learning a language.
2.Students feel __________________ if they cannot speak a foreign language well.
3.Students who are nervous will not ______________________________.
4.To create an effective environment, it is necessary for students to focus more on the content, and less on ______________________________________.
5.Contextualization helps students _______________________________.
6.According to Benjamin Bloom's taxonomy, thinking skills are divided into ____________________________________________________________.
7.In order to ensure the logical connection between the sentences, students can refer to ______________________________________________________.
8.The methods of introducing new vocabulary can be based on _________.
9.Predictions activate students' existing knowledge and encourage them to
_______________________________________________________________.
10.Asking students to put themselves in another person's shoes encourages
_______________________________________________________________.
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Topic 16. Development and Application of Critical Thinking Skills in the ESL…
11.In the role-playing game, actors identify more closely with ___________.
12.The elements of acting include _________________________________.
Task 3. Answer the questions about the content of the article.
1.What conditions will contribute to the development of critical thinking skills in foreign language classes?
2.What kind of environment would be considered effective for developing critical thinking?
3.What is the essence of the Stephen Krashen emotional filter concept?
4.What doesn’t the teacher need to focus on to encourage students to express their opinions?
5.Why does the teacher need to provide the context for the transmitted information?
6.What is the essence of Benjamin Bloom's taxonomy?
7.What types of activities can be used in the classroom to develop critical thinking?
8.What is the essence of the exercises to establish the connection between previously acquired knowledge and new knowledge on the problem under consideration?
9.What kind of exercise can change the cultural and emotional context of the problem at hand?
10.Why do collaborative activities contribute to the development of critical thinking skills?
Task 4. Express your point of view on the following issue: What is the most effective exercise for developing critical thinking skills in foreign language classes and why?
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Topic 16. Development and Application of Critical Thinking Skills in the ESL…
Topic 17
FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHER’S
MULTILINGUALISM AND CURRICULUM
DEVELOPMENT SKILLS
In today's interconnected world, the demand for qualified foreign language teachers is growing. The best teachers demonstrate commitment to promoting intercultural communication and mutual understanding.
Multilingualism is the ability to use and understand multiple languages. For the foreign language teacher, it involves teaching students to communicate effectively in languages other than their native one, fostering linguistic diversity and cultural competence.
Why it's important. Multilingualism is crucial for the foreign language teacher as it enhances teaching effectiveness by providing deeper cultural insights, improves communication with diverse students, broadens pedagogical strategies, and showcases the practical benefits of language learning, thereby motivating and inspiring students through personal example.
How to improve multilingualism skills. To improve multilingualism, the foreign language teacher can adopt the following strategies:
1.Immersive learning: Create an immersive learning environment where students are encouraged to use the target language as much as possible.
2.Cultural integration: Integrate cultural elements of the language being taught to make learning more engaging and meaningful.
3.Use of technology: Leverage technology such as language learning apps, online resources, and multimedia to enhance language learning.
4.Interactive methods: Engage students with interactive methods like roleplays, group discussions, and language games.
5.Differentiated instruction: Tailor teaching methods to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of students.
6.Feedback and Correction: Offer constructive feedback and correction in a supportive manner to encourage improvement without discouraging learners.
By incorporating these strategies, foreign language teachers can significantly enhance multilingualism among their students.
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Topic 17. Foreign Language Teacher’s Multilingualism and Curriculum…
Curriculum development for a foreign language teacher involves designing, organizing, and planning instructional strategies and materials to effectively teach a language, incorporating linguistic skills, cultural competencies, and appropriate assessments to meet learners' diverse needs and objectives.
Why it's Important. Curriculum development is pivotal for a foreign language teacher as it ensures systematic and coherent instruction, tailoring learning objectives, materials, and methods to students' needs, levels, and cultural backgrounds, thereby enhancing language proficiency and cultural understanding effectively.
How to improve curriculum development skills. Improving curriculum development, especially for a foreign language teacher, involves a strategic approach focused on enhancing both content and delivery. Here are con - cise strategies:
1.Needs analysis: Begin by assessing the specific needs of your students. Tailor the curriculum to address their language proficiency levels, learning styles, and cultural interests.
2.Goal setting: Define clear, achievable learning objectives aligned with national or international standards. The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) offers a comprehensive set of benchmarks for language proficiency.
3.Incorporate culture: Integrate cultural elements into your curriculum to provide context and deepen understanding.
4.Use authentic materials: Enhance language exposure by using authentic materials such as articles, videos, and podcasts from native sources.
5.Incorporate technology: Leverage technology to create interactive and engaging learning experiences. Duolingo for Schools and Quizlet are excellent tools for reinforcing language skills.
6.Feedback and assessment: Implement a variety of assessment methods to monitor progress and provide feedback. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) offers resources on performance assessments.
7.Professional development: Stay updated on best practices in language teaching by engaging in professional development. TESOL International Association provides opportunities for professional growth and networking.
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Topic 17. Foreign Language Teacher’s Multilingualism and Curriculum…
By applying these strategies, foreign language teachers can develop a dynamic and effective curriculum that meets the diverse needs of their students.
Tasks
Task 1. Review the information in the text. Please explain the meaning of the following terms: linguistic diversity, teaching effectiveness, cultural insights, immersive learning, curriculum development, learning objectives, authentic materials.
Task 2. Read the article again and complete the sentences with information from the text.
1.In the modern world, the best foreign language teachers demonstrate
_________.
2.For the foreign language teacher, multilingualism means ____________.
3.Multilingualism expands _________________ and demonstrates the practical benefits of _______________________________________________.
4.The immersive environment offers students _______________________.
5.Cultural integration in learning the foreign language involves _________.
6.Technologies such as language learning apps, online resources, and multimedia are improving _____________________________________________.
7.Interactive methods of teaching foreign languages include ___________.
8.Differentiated foreign language teaching involves __________________.
9.The development of the curriculum for the foreign language teacher includes __________________________________________________________.
10.The curriculum provides systematic and consistent learning because
_______________________________________________________________.
11.The development of the curriculum should begin with _______________.
12.The objectives of the curricula should be _________________________.
Task 3. Answer the questions about the content of the article.
1.What kind of commitment do the best foreign language teachers demonstrate?
2.What is multilingualism from the perspective of a foreign language teacher?
3.Why is multilingualism crucial for the foreign language teacher?
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