Assessing EFL Student Progress in Critical Thinking With the Ennis-Weir Critical Thinking Essay Test

Page No.: 
43
Writer(s): 
Bruce W. Davidson, Hokusei Gakuen University; Rodney A. Dunham, Tezukayama College

Recent trends in EFUESL have emphasized the importance of promoting thinking
as an integral part of English language pedagogy; however, empirical research
has not established that training in thinking skills can be effectively combined
with EFUESL instruction. This study made use of the Ennis-Weir Critical Thinking
Essay Test to assess progress in critical thinking after a year of intensive academic
English instruction among Japanese students (No 36). A control group received
only content-based intensive English instruction, while a treatment group received
additional training in critical thinking. The treatment group scored significantly
higher on the test (p< .001). The results imply that critical thinking skills can
indeed be taught as part of academic EFUESL instruction.

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