An Investigation of Critical Reading in Reading Textbooks: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

<p>As a technique for discovering and evaluating information within texts, critical reading might be a panacea for those learners whose voices and choices are muted and ignored. A crucial question is thus to ask whether and to what extent popular reading textbooks meet the criteria for the development of critical reading. To this end, the present article seeks to identify and investigate the presence of those items within reading textbooks which help promote critical reading. Based on the literature on critical thinking, the cornerstone of critical reading, a checklist is provided whose items are indicator of whether a particular text promotes critical reading or not. Moreover, it is recognized that autonomy and engagement are prerequisites for enhancement of critical reading and that they can be achieved through strategy instruction and task-based instruction, respectively. Three reading textbooks (Select Readings: Upper-intermediate, Active Skills for Reading: Book 4, and Mosaic Reading 2) are leveled against three criteria: Critical thinking items, the use of appropriate tasks, and strategic instruction. The results indicate that these textbooks meet the first criterion to some extent, but seriously lack the last two ones.</p

The Effect of Teaching Critical Reading Strategies on Advanced Iranian EFL Learners' Vocabulary Retention

“…They underlined new vocabulary and then inferred the meaning of those words. Zabihi and Pordel (2011) referred to what extent popular reading text books meet the criteria for the development of critical reading that identifies and investigates the presence of those items within reading text books which help to promote critical reading. The results revealed that the prerequisites to develop the critical reading are autonomy and engagement which can be obtained by the means of task-based teaching the strategies.…”

Examining the Relationship between Middle School Students’ Critical Reading Skills, Science Literacy Skills and Attitudes: A Structural Equation Modeling

“…As in all disciplines, in reading education, too, the development of higher order thinking skills is emphasized (Collins, 1993; Paul & Elder, 2008;Zabihi & Pordel, 2011;Barnett & Bedau, 2011). Reading, comprehension, analysing and integration of a text is the basis of reading.…”

An Exploration of Students’ Difficulties in Using Critical Thinking Skills in Reading

“…This kind of thinking engages students to actively participate in a reading class. As stated by Zabihi & Pordel (2011), several scholars believe that instructing children how to think and read critically is an important aspect of all reading programs which aim at comprehension. Kamali & Fahim (2011) also concludes that critical thinking is crucial for answering reading comprehension questions, especially those related to main ideas.…”