The assessment of critical thinking skills in TEFL exams
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Date
2019
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University Of Oum El Bouaghi
Abstract
Critical thinking has become the most important outcome in EFL classes over the globe.The current study aims at investigating the assessment of critical thinking at the level of TEFL exams. We hypothesize that TEFL exams fail to address students' thinking skills. To test the hypothesis, a descriptive method has been conducted, and from which a number of data were gathered through one questionnaire that have been submitted to seventy (70) EFL license students at LarbiBenmhidi University- Oum El Bouaghi . A qualitative method has also been used throughout an analysis of samples of TEFL exams over the period of 2 years. The findings of the students' questionnaire have revealed that students are aware of the importance and benefits of developing critical thinking skills, on the other hand , students rarely uses this skills when answering TEFL exams questions this due to many reasons such: lack of time, or exams questions do not include this skills. The results of the analysis of TEFL exam question from 2017-2018 have shown that questions are arranged from simple too complex to meet the different levels of students' abilities. However, the questions only targeted the knowledge, comprehension, and application levels of students, and rarely target the first level of critical thinking skills "analysis level". Thus TEFL teachers are recommended to include students thinking skills when exams questions
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Keywords
Critical thinking, Assessment