Critical Thinking & Global Success

Essay by jah_rule24University, Bachelor'sA+, March 2004

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Critical Thinking Crucial to Global Success

The article examines the current language teaching methods and techniques used in Indonesian schools. The author states "that many have suggested the current language education curriculum from elementary school up to college needs to be completely overhauled" (Alwasilah, 2002). The author suggests "the current methods used for teaching is monotonous, teaching materials are old, the teacher has no vision, and the subject does not provide students with required knowledge and skills to develop themselves" (Alwasilah, 2002). The author states, what matters most to students is whether the teacher is empowering intellectually. (Alwasilah, 2002) The article provides examples of a new improved method of teaching language, starting with "professionally designed language teaching that will significantly improve the teaching of other subjects and enhancing the student's intellectual ability" (Alwasilah, 2002).

Asia is used as a model for the "need to update ways of teaching both national and foreign languages at all levels of education" (Alwasilah, 2002).

The author recommends exposing students to critical thinking that will help them develop essential life skills. Reference is made of the current testing methods used, as "dysfunctional for developing critical thinking skills" (Alwasilah, 2002).

In order to meet global challenges and success the author believes language teaching should be aimed at mastering critical thinking. (Alwasilah, 2002)

Critical Thinking 3

Personal perception of this article is the author wants the audience to believe his conclusion of the ineptness of the techniques and teaching methods currently in use and the given need to over haul the system.

The assumptions and fallacies cited in this article infer that "teachers have no vision; students are most concerned with whether the teacher is empowering intellectually; the tendency among non-language teachers and professors to take language proficiency for granted" (Alwasilah, 2002). There is no basis or...