The Impact of Critical Thinking on Learners� Efl Vocabulary Retention: The Arab Context

Abstract

The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the impact of a critical thinking based pedagogical approach on learners' retention ability of EFL vocabulary. There were two groups in the study: an experimental and a control group. The experimental group received vocabulary instruction with a critical thinking-based approach whereas the control group was taught in the conventional methods of vocabulary teaching. The treatment consisted of seven lessons delivered over 12 weeks. At the end of the treatment, the immediate post-test was administered and two weeks after the immediate post-test, the delayed post-test was administered. The resulting data was subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical analysis using SPSS software. The results showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in their vocabulary retention. Based on these results, the researchers concluded that the adopted critical thinking-oriented language instruction to EFL vocabulary has a positive effect on vocabulary retention, with implications for policy-makers, teacher trainers and teachers.

Promoting Middle School Students’ Engagement Through Incorporating iPad Apps in EFL/ESL Classes

“…Several researchers have arrived at an agreement regarding the association of student engagement and improved desired outcomes, such as critical thinking (Carini et al, 2006;DeNoyelles & Reyes-Foster, 2015;Elyas & Al-Bogami, 2018;Elyas & Al-Zahrani, 2019a, 2019b enhanced grades (Kuh et al, 2008;Lindt & Miller, 2014), and cognitive and personal development (Pascarella et al, 2010). Student engagement does not only lead to better academic performance, but it also improves students' creativity.…”

An assessment of critical thinking in the Middle East: Evaluating the effectiveness of special courses interventions

“…First, researchers have utilized translated American and European assessments without proper modifications [6]. Second, studies focused on a single course, college, or program [7]. Third, proposed interventions for enhancing critical thinking skills were designed for small homogenous populations [8].…”

“…Fourth, published critical thinking skills interventions lacked details on the treatment, instructional strategies, assessment tools, or teaching styles [9]. Fifth, interventions were not grounded in well-established educational theories [7][8][9]. Sixth, studies failed to include adequately large or representative samples of populations under investigation [6].…”

“…Sixth, studies failed to include adequately large or representative samples of populations under investigation [6]. Seventh, experimental, and quasi-experimental studies featured little to no control over potential confounders [7].…”

Students’ Views on the Use of Critical Thinking-Based Pedagogical Approach for Vocabulary Instruction

“…However, when observing the local contexts, English as Foreign Language (EFL) Saudi learners may be considered not effective communicators when using the target language. Similar to learners in many other contexts, Saudi learners face many problems in their quest for language acquisition (Alnofaie, 2013;Al-Nasser, 2015;Al Zahrani & Elyas, 2017;Elyas & Al Zahrani, 2019). One such problem is the learners" lack of an adequate set of English vocabulary, which may impede their willingness to communicate.…”