The Study of English Curriculum at Secondary Level for Developing Critical Thinking

Abstract

The original input of this study involves in creating a critical thinking structure that can be used to explore the elements of critical thinking in the textbooks. The teachers, who are concerned with the improvement of students’ critical thinking skills, can also use this structure as a guideline. This study attempts to find out the extent to which critical thinking has been manifested in the two selected English textbooks, Punjab Textbook Board (PTB) and Oxford Progressive English (OPE) taught at secondary level in different Pakistani schools. It is the text that determines how effectively the critical thinking and knowledge is being developed in the learners. Both critical thinking and knowledge are the need of students at secondary level and these skills are essential for the English Language classrooms. These skills enable the students to learn concepts more thoroughly and without this learning outcome cannot be achieved. The questions given at the end of chapters of English textbooks (PTB) and (OPE) have been qualitatively analyzed. The proposed model of critical thinking used by Janpha Thadphoothon (2005) has been employed in this study. The findings of the content revealed that both text books contained the elements of critical thinking helpful in enhancing the knowledge of the students. The PTB textbook covers 25.37% and OPE covers 43.18% of critical thinking content for the secondary students. The findings revealed that the textbook published by OPE is playing a more significant role in developing critical thinking and enhancing knowledge in the students as compared to the PTB textbook.