Development of Critical Thinking Through Instructional Innovation for Advanced Course

Qun Ao

Associate Professor of Chinese, The United States Military Academy

For years, we have observed that Chinese language students suffer from weaknesses in expressing their original thoughts in speaking or writing at advanced levels. Besides the lack of linguistic competence, it also seems to be associated with critical thinking. However, critical thinking skills in foreign languages are not likely to develop spontaneously; teachers must take a directive role in initiating and guiding critical thinking. To bring critical thinking successfully into instruction across the curriculum needs some systematic plans and specific strategies for upgrading the effectiveness of instruction and assessment. Since the goals of Advanced language course on literature, culture, media, and current events from historical or contemporary perspectives are meant to give students knowledge and skills in keeping with the expectations, which students are able to use this language at a higher level of thinking. Therefore, Advanced Language courses are particularly appropriate for the development of critical thinking. This presentation will focus on the curriculum design and instructional strategies that develop critical thinking skills and cultural understanding, and refining presentational skills, which are indeed relevant to real-work language application.