From a very young age, learning a language is of utmost importance. Starting from our mother tongue, we then learn another language (usually English, Spanish, German or French). Learning – and teaching- methods though, don’t always work as expected. Conventional teaching and learning techniques are starting to become a feature of the past now, as new methods are considered to be more efficient. One of these techniques is critical thinking.
Critical Thinking Defined
When we discuss Critical thinking, we refer to some specific practices. First of all, critical thinking occurs when we doubt something- a text, an idea, a political statement, a speech, a piece of information, an article.
Second of all, it also occurs when we look at a specific issue or problem, from more than one perspective. Third of all, it also occurs when we criticize something, in a constructive way. For example, disagreeing with the words of a journalist, while pointing out the problem and supporting our opinion with arguments. Also, when critically viewing new information, we can find more meanings that might be indirect.
Therefore, it becomes apparent why Critical Thinking is necessary when learning a language.
Critical thinking affecting Language Learning
The first person who supported the use of Critical thinking in education was the American philosopher John Dewey. According to his beliefs, teaching Critical thinking to the students is actually the ultimate goal of education.
In combination with this belief, school/ college activities that require Critical thinking can affect the efficiency of learning for students. Combining experiential learning with real-life activities urges a student to think outside the box, using his/her emotional intelligence. Thus, learning is achieved in a way that the student understands and enjoys more.
In addition, learning a language can be achieved by many practical activities that combine critical thinking with the material taught in class. Hence, learning becomes more inclusive and practical.
Critical thinking improving Language Learning
In many cases, it has been proved that language learning is achieved way better when activities that require critical thinking are included. This happens because students not only use their existing knowledge but because they also apply it to a real-life situation. In this way, the knowledge they acquire during these activities is more memorable.
Furthermore, when a student participates in such activities, he/she becomes an “active participant”, as he/she interacts with other students while constructing his/her learning. Through this process, the student perceives the knowledge learned at the moment in his/her own way, and because of this fact, this knowledge is remembered – and used- more easily (learning stops being too theoretical and is applied in practice).
Overall, critical thinking allows a learner to “process” a language, and perceive it in his/her own way. Therefore, language learning becomes easier, more efficient, and applicable.
As critical thinking affects language learning, language learning affects critical thinking too. Learning a language requires the ability to learn a whole new ideology, a very different culture – in many cases-, and practically, a different language from yours ( in many cases). That means that you learn a set of grammatic and syntactic rules that might not be the same as the ones of your own language.
Overall, learning a language demands many skills that help you acquire a whole new ideology. Therefore, language learning “sharpens” your Critical thinking skills, as you get to compare and contrast your mother tongue with another language ( when learning a second language).
Language learning improving Critical Thinking Skills
Per the above fact, it is useful to mention that critical thinking skills are improved through the process of language learning. Critical thinking and language learning support each other at a level where Critical thinking can almost teach you the language itself.
For example, critically assessing a situation and its character- during which you have to communicate in a specific language with someone, has already given you the necessary “tool” that guarantees the efficiency of the communication.
In addition, problem-solving and conflict can also improve critical thinking skills. For example, in a conversation where you have to support your argument without been affected by the potential disagreement and annoyance of the other participant (during a language learning-related activity), proper selection of language is needed. This can be accomplished by applying your knowledge and by using your critical thinking skills.
Furthermore, while learning a language a person can participate in various activities where different kinds of critical thinking are unlocked. Therefore, critical thinking becomes more spherical. As a necessary and useful process, language learning provides critical thinking with a lot more dimensions.
The kind of relationship between Critical thinking and language learning
As mentioned above, Critical thinking and language learning support and affect each other. It is very important to realize that language learning can become much more efficient and interesting if critical thinking is applied and used. At the same time, critical thinking skills can be acquired and improved while learning a language, because of the variety of exercises and activities this process includes.
Their relationship is only positive. They both positively contribute to the efficiency of each other. Nevertheless, Critical Thinking is a skill, which we use on numerous occasions. Language learning is a procedure, that needs critical thinking.
In other words, critical thinking is not dependent on language learning, when it comes to its improvement and formation whereas language learning needs critical thinking, as it has the goal of being as much efficient as possible.
Overall, it is a unique relationship during which each “party” offers and receives positive traits and features.
On An Ending Note
Taking everything into consideration, we can see that this relationship between Language learning and critical thinking is very beneficial, for both parties. However, viewing this relationship from a strict perspective, we can conclude that Language Learning ( a.k.a., the educational field) can take into advantage Critical thinking as a tool that guarantees effective learning and use it more.
References
https://ajssr.unitar.my/doc/vol1i2/2107.pdf
https://unitec.researchbank.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10652/3680/revised-critical-thinking-paper-May-2016-.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
