THE IMPACT OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Abstract

In contemporary education, the goal of teaching English as a foreign language goes far beyond the acquisition of linguistic competence. Modern educational paradigms emphasize the importance of fostering higher-order thinking skills, particularly critical thinking, alongside language proficiency. This article examines the role of English language teaching in the development of learners’ critical thinking skills. Drawing on cognitive and educational theories, the paper discusses the concept of critical thinking, its theoretical foundations, and its relevance to language learning. Furthermore, it explores pedagogical approaches and classroom strategies that integrate critical thinking into English language instruction. The analysis demonstrates that English language teaching, when grounded in communicative and learner-centered methodologies, significantly contributes to the enhancement of students’ analytical, evaluative, and reflective thinking abilities.