Critical Thinking Article Summary and Critique .
The purpose of critical thinking is to achieve understanding, evaluate view points, and solve problems. One can say that critical thinking is the questioning or inquiry to understand, evaluate, or resolve.
This paper will summarize the article "Critical Thinking Crucial to Global Success" by A Chaedar Alwasilah. The article examines the ineptness of the various methods and techniques of teaching language in Indonesia.
This analysis will also critique how the author dealt with the following elements: perception, assumption, emotion, language, argument, fallacy, logic, and issue problem resolution. All of these elements will demonstrate the need for critical thinking and questioning of material.
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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 skills will help them develop essential life skills.