Critical thinking - An essential skill for English pedagogical major students: Review and applications

Abstract

In the international integration and globalization context and the strong influences of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0), critical thinking (CT) is becoming a more and more important skill that students need to be trained. To undergraduate students, critical thinking is not only a key study skill to meet the targets of the university curriculum but also the individuals’ ability to think independently and make appropriate decisions in real-life situations. Consequently, preparing students to utilize the widest range of academic language skills through analysis, synthesis, and problem-solving facilitates them to the highest levels of academic achievement and the future continuous professional development. This article analyses the crucial roles of critical thinking skills in teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) and developing practical professionals for English pedagogical major students. For practical purposes, examples of activities and steps of implementation are given to enhance critical thinking skills for students at HCM City University of Education, Vietnam.