Fostering Critical Thinking Competence in EFL Classroom.docVIP

Fostering Critical Thinking Competence in EFL Classroom 　　Abstract 　　The paper points out the importance of critical thinking in college English learning， it attempts to analyze the obstacles that prevent the development of critical thinking. The paper also calls for the necessity of integrating critical thinking into English teaching and provides some constructive strategies to achieve the goal. 　　Key words： Critical thinking； Reflective teaching； Autonomous learning 　　INTRODUCTION 　　In recent years， teachers have increasingly realized the necessity of developing students’ ability for critical thinking， which is regarded as a central responsibility for higher education and an educational ideal in college English teaching. Over the past two decades， many works（Browne， 2006； Ennis， 1995； Fisher， 2001） about critical thinking have been published. 　　Nowadays， critical thinking is greatly appreciated， it is also an indispensable part of college education as well as an important quality that a confident and independent learner must possess. Critical thinking contributes a lot to English communication. The process of fostering critical thinking competence deals with stimulating students’ reverse thinking and cultivating their independent thinking ability， then students may consciously apply their previously acquired knowledge into practice. 　　Nevertheless， owing to the current problems and reform trends in foreign language teaching， critical thinking is not given enough attention in English teaching which tends to focus more on language skill training. As a matter of fact， in the context of English learning， critical thinking should take on a more dynamic role than simple skill acquisition. 　　1. DEFINITION OF CRITICAL THINKING 　　Ennis （1985， 45） defined critical thinking as “reasonably reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do.” Critical thinking involves learning to evaluate， draw inferences and arrive at conclusions based on the evide