The Application Of Critical Thinking In Teaching English Reading

As an important part of human thought, critical thinking and creative thinking plays an essential role in the development of science and technology, the growth of economy and the advancement of society .At present, the teaching of English reading comprehension does not stress the importance of cultivation of students' critical thinking .This paper first deals with the definition given by some foreign and Chinese scholars about critical thinking .Then it discusses how to foster such thinking in the teaching of English comprehension.The students often find reading comprehension difficult . Their problems are manifested by their low ability of telling the gist of a text and of recalling important details. There are some explanations for this .One explanation is that reading is not really taught in class and the class doesn't involve processes in reading and comprehension in general .In China reading is supposed to be taught at extensive reading class and intensive reading class as well . However, intensive reading is actually not reading at all ,the lesson consists of a series of language points , using texts as points of departure . The text for reading , in other words ,are sources of language exercises rather than reading exercises . When they read , students tend to read in a laborious and linear decoding manner, which strain their memory and hamper their comprehension .The other explanation is China's traditional way of teaching . In an intensive reading class the teacher tends to dominate a class , doing most of the reading exercises , explaining the words and grammar structures and translating different sentences . Students are reduced .to more passive recipients .In view of the problems. Some measures need to be taken . First of all ,reading should be given its authentic purposes , Which means that reading a text is to get a manage rather than using it as a convenient vehicle for learning a language . Nuttall's view about reading are in live with this . According to them reading should include as its aim getting message of the writer and being allowed to respond to that message in some way . After straightening up what reading is really about, we need to know how to get the message out of the text . This essay proposes that critical thinking should be incorporated into the reading class. Critical thinking in this essay is purposeful, directed thinking process that involves questioning inquiring and evaluating so that meaning is constructed . When reading is constructed , critical thinking means that students should activelyengage in an internal dialogue when reading a text, generating questions by drawing on their past experiences at the three stages of reading : pre-reading, while-reading and post-reading . Questions asked concern both the content and the process of reading .The author quotes relevant theories and the principles from domestic and abroad on critical thinking and education according to the above -metioned problems.Critical thinking seems to be able to solve the reading problems for three reasons:Firstly , the application of critical thinking fits the nature of good reading . It has been widely acknowledged that reading is an active and constructive process.Where readers need to be actively involved , using all the resources at his disposal to main meaning . Critical thinking stresses the active and focal position of readers in making sense of a reading text.Secondly , critical thinking in reading emphasizes the active role of students, and being active and alert in reading will tend to result in better comprehension and efficiency.Thirdly , the critical reading model will give students a sense of control, The sense of control will motivate them greatly as Findley and cooper said that the sense of control is always associated with grater a achievements.Lastly, The benefits of critical thinking can also be proved by surveys.To ensure the maximum success of this reading model , special came should be given of the role reorientation of the teacher and the function that the teacher should play .The te...