DEVELOPMENT OF CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS OF STUDENTS OF 7–9th FORMS AT ENGLISH LANGUAGE LESSONS

Abstract

The article proves the urgency of the problem of development of critical thinking in the process of a foreign language teaching and learning. In particular, the lack of fundamental elaboration of this problem and the need for a thorough description of the theoretical and methodological aspects of the implementation of methods of the technology of critical thinking development into the process of teaching a foreign language hav e been noted. Characteristic features of the implementation of the technology of critical thinking development in the process of teaching a foreign language are determined and described, mainly caused by the subject specificity. It is proved that the purpose and means of the subject of a foreign language create a broad basis for the development of critical thinking of students, and the application of critical thinking development methods has certain peculiarities, in particular, dependence on the level of students’ communicative skills, the need of breaking the language barrier etc. The problem of the implementation of methods of technology for the development of critical thinking during the study of a foreign language through the example of English language classes in the 7–9th forms of general education institutions is researched. Examples of implementation of technology methods with indication of the purpose of their use in accordance with the stage of the lesson and the lesson goals are given. It is concluded that inclusion of the technology of developing critical thinking into the process of learning a foreign language involves the adaptation of general-didactic methods of technology to the subject, taking into account its specificity.