The Effect of Using the Contemplative Approach to Enhance Speaking and Critical Thinking Skills in the EFL Undergraduate Literature Classroom

Abstract

This research study explored the effect of using the contemplative approach to enhance speaking skills and critical thinking skills in the EFL literature classroom which aimed to 1) investigate English speaking skills and 2) investigate students’ critical thinking skills in the EFL literature classroom. This research study applied a mixed-method research design. Data collection was conducted in both qualitative and quantitative formats. Instruments were an English speaking test, a critical thinking test, classroom observations, semi-structured interviews, and a reflective journal. The sample group was eleven second-year students of the English studies major who enrolled in the literary adaptation course in the second semester of the academic year 2022 at Chiang Rai Rajabhat University, Thailand by purposive sampling with the volunteers who were interviewed and joined the activities. The quantitative data was analyzed by descriptive statistics while the qualitative data was classified, analyzed, and reported by the objective items. The findings indicate that contemplative approaches can significantly enhance students' English-speaking skills. Although the results suggest that participating in contemplative activities did not have a statistically significant impact on the participants' critical thinking abilities, a slight improvement was observed in their critical thinking skills.