Critical thinking for ESL learners

critical thinking category
Recommended age 13+
Critical thinking is formed on a foundation of three skills: analyzing, evaluating and creating. These skills encourage students to participate in intellectual pursuits and help develop fluency.

All students, regardless of home culture, have the innate talent to utilize critical thinking skills. These skills have the ability to impact almost every aspect of a student's life, from achieving higher test scores to making important decisions to determining personal values and even making friends.

Levels

Assessment

Information

Levels

Each level of the ESL Critical Thinking course not only pushes students to understand and analyze various issues, but also to formulate solutions and defend opinions on those issues. The units and levels each practice and build upon vocabulary, grammar, writing and reasoning skills developed in previous units. It is expected that students be familiar with English to enroll in these courses.

Level 1 (8 lessons, 16hrs approx.)

Themes and considerations:

  • [Business] What is a good job? What are employers looking for?
  • [Cognitive Science] What is the best way to study? Can we change our brains?
  • [Sociology] Is a vacation the best way to relax? What is the best kind of vacation?
  • [Physiology] What makes you laugh? Does body language tell the truth?
  • [Sports Science] What is a sport? Why do we enjoy sports?
  • [Communication] Is choice always a good thing? How do we make decisions?
  • [Behavioural Science] Is the world changing too fast? Can young people change the world?
  • [Psychology] What are you afraid of? When is it good to be afraid?
Level 2 (8 lessons, 16hrs approx.)

Themes and considerations:

  • [Business & Marketing] Why does something become popular? How important is it to keep up with current trends?
  • [Psychology] How can colours be useful? How do colours affect the way we feel?
  • [Social Psychology] What does it mean to be polite? Why are social skills important?
  • [Technology] How does technology affect our relationships? How can technology improve performance?
  • [Business / Sociology] What makes a family business successful? What does it mean to be part of a family?
  • [Behavioural Science] How can playing games be good for you? How can you learn faster and better?
  • [Environmental Science] Do cities need nature? How do people survive in extreme environments?
  • [Public Health] How important is cleanliness? How can we prevent diseases?
Level 3 (8 lessons, 16hrs approx.)

Themes and considerations:

  • [Sociology] How do you make a good first impression? Are first impressions accurate?
  • [Nutritional Science] Why do we change the foods we eat? What makes food attractive?
  • [Information Technology / Psychology] How has technology affected our lives? In what ways is change good or bad?
  • [Marketing] How does advertising affect our behaviour? Does advertising help or harm us?
  • [Psychology] How do people overcome obstacles? Does taking risks change our lives?
  • [Neurology] Are you a good decision maker? Will AI ever be as smart as humans?
  • [Economics] Can money buy happiness? Can a business earn money while making a difference?
  • [Behavioural Science] What does it take to be successful? What can we learn from success and failure?
Level 4 (8 lessons, 16hrs approx.)

Themes and considerations:

  • [Sociology  / Business] What makes someone admirable? What makes a good leader?
  • [Behavioural Science] How does appearance affect our success? How do marketers get our attention?
  • [Developmental Psychology / Psychology] What important lesson do we learn as young people? What skills make someone an adult?
  • [Science] How do the laws of science affect our lives? How can science improve lives?
  • [Nutritional Science] Should science influence what we eat? How has science changed the food we eat?
  • [Education] Is one road to success better than another? Does school prepare you for work?
  • [Geology / Anthropology] Is discovery always a good thing? How can accidental discoveries affect our lives?
  • [Engineering] Can failure lead to success? What are the consequences of progress?
Level 5 (8 lessons, 16hrs approx.)

Themes and considerations:

  • [Education / Linguistics] What is the value of learning a new language? How does language affect who we are?
  • [Behavioural Science / Business] What is the tipping point between work and fun? How is work changing?
  • [Media Studies / Psychology] How well does a picture illustrate the truth? How can the eyes deceive the mind?
  • [International Relations] How can we achieve global sustainability? Why is global cooperation important?
  • [Urban Planning] What makes a public place appealing? What should the modern city look like?
  • [Marketing / Ecology] What inspires innovation? How can we turn trash into treasure?
  • [History / Cultural Studies] How do new discoveries and inventions change the world? How do people react to change?
  • [Environmental Studies / Health Sciences] Where should the world’s energy come from? What affects people’s energy levels?

Assessment

Homework

To review, practice and establish the lesson material, students may expect a short homework exercises following each session. The instructor will determine if these assignments contribute to a final course score, or if they are discretionary.

Assignments

Students in the ESL Critical Thinking course should expect an assignment following each class. The assignment will typically involve posting a reasoned response to the class’s theme question on an online discussion board. The instructor will determine whether assignments contribute to final grades and to what degree.

Information

Onboarding

Because specialized streams have their own discreet curriculum and are not tied to school calendars, students may be enrolled and begin their studies at any time during the year. Students will also be placed at their appropriate level and do not need to begin these courses from the very beginning.

Duration

Course duration will vary dependent on number of scheduled classes per week. The ESL Critical Thinking  levels have been developed to take 16 hours and may be completed as quickly or slowly as the student decides. However, it is recommended that two hours of class time per week are planned (excluding homework time).

Supplies

Textbooks, workbooks, handouts and physical assignments will be provided by the instructor.

All other supplies or class-related costs will be borne by the student. The instructor will be able to provide an approximate expense expectation prior to the start of the course.

Lesson Structure

Lesson formats may vary dependent on the material being covered, but in general will include:

  • A warm-up period
  • Directed learning time
  • Collaborative learning time
  • Integration, assessment and review
  • Homework assignment
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