Usage of Critical Thinking Development Technology when Teaching a Foreign Language at University

摘要

The article is devoted to the problem of developing students' critical thinking ability, the ability to analyze information and make independent decisions during foreign language classes at university. The article studies the problem of finding the most effective ways and methods to increase the level of students' achievement in non-linguistic universities, which largely determines the need to form critical thinking. It is noted that the application of critical thinking development technologies in traditional models of teaching is a condition and a way of successful mastering a foreign language at university. Through the analyses of scientific sources devoted to the problem of critical thinking development, and based on the methods of pedagogical modeling, a technology has been developed for effective teaching a foreign language during practical classes. The article considers the teaching methods and requirements towards foreign language classes. To assess the effectiveness of technology, models of practical assignments that stimulate students' critical thinking are noted. Group work, discussions, business games, "Clusters" method are suggested as an important component. This model is aimed at developing students' linguistic competence as well as their critical thinking due to the ability to combine different types of intellectual activity in class. The described technology also helps students to acquire a communication culture, develop their speech and obtain additional information necessary in both educational and further professional activities.