THINK Network Café - Critical thinking in EAP: What’s so special?

Critical thinking in EAP: What’s so special?

Dr Kate Wilson

Teaching critical thinking is fundamental to teaching EAP (English for Academic Purposes). In this talk, I will discuss the particular challenges of preparing students to participate critically in tertiary education in a language which is not their mother tongue. I will argue that there is a dual purpose in teaching critical thinking in EAP: students need to learn to think critically – using English - in the disciplinary contexts they aspire to, but they also need to think critically about English itself and how the language can be used to create and share meanings in particular ways. I call this dichotomy thinking THROUGH English and thinking ABOUT English. I will discuss the challenge of selecting the field and genre of appropriate texts for EAP, as well as the value of the scaffolding literacy cycle in developing students’ critical awareness of academic English. I will stress the crucial role of engagement as students develop their identities as active participants in academic discourse.

About the Speaker

Kate Wilson is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Canberra where she lectures in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Previously, she was Head of the School of Languages and International Education, and Director of the Academic Skills Program at the University of Canberra. Her research interests, consultancies and publications, including her doctoral thesis, address critical reading and thinking in English for Academic Purposes, and the first year experience in higher education.

Associate Professor Li Li will host the event.  All are welcome to attend.  

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