Enhancing Critical Thinking Through Discussions of Social Issues in English Language Classes

Abstract

The paper aims to enhance students\' critical thinking and communication skills by incorporating discussions on current social issues into English language learning. The goal is to develop both language proficiency and an understanding of social contexts, fostering a more holistic educational experience. The primary objective of this is to improve students\' English language proficiency through meaningful engagement with social science topics. The approach aims to make English learning relevant to real-world contexts by integrating discussions on social issues such as gender equality, climate change, poverty, human rights, and cultural diversity. This will not only enhance students\' linguistic abilities but also their critical thinking, empathy, and social awareness. This paper examines how integrating social science topics into English language teaching (ELT) can promote both language acquisition and critical thinking. The study explores discussion-based and project-based learning as methodologies to foster engagement with real-world issues, equipping students with the tools to both articulate their ideas in English and think analytically about societal challenges. The research also investigates the potential outcomes of such an approach, including improved language skills, heightened social awareness, and the development of global citizenship.

Introduction

In today’s interconnected world, learning English goes beyond linguistic skills—it’s crucial for engaging with global social issues like inequality, climate change, and human rights. Traditional English language teaching (ELT) often focuses narrowly on language mechanics, but current educational trends emphasize integrating language learning with social science content. This interdisciplinary approach not only improves English proficiency but also fosters critical thinking and social awareness.

Research supports using contextualized learning, critical pedagogy, and methods like discussion-based and project-based learning to enhance both language skills and critical engagement. These strategies encourage students to analyze, debate, and collaborate on real-world problems, developing higher-order thinking and communicative competence.

The proposed methodology involves designing a curriculum centered on relevant social issues, incorporating group discussions, debates, role-playing, and research projects. Assessment focuses on both language accuracy and critical thinking, using authentic materials and real-life applications. Teacher training is essential for successful implementation.

Expected outcomes include improved English skills, enhanced critical thinking, greater social and global awareness, empathy, collaboration, and practical language use. The project unfolds in phases from curriculum design to implementation over twelve weeks, aiming to prepare students as proficient English communicators and informed global citizens ready to address 21st-century challenges.

Conclusion

This research highlights the effectiveness of integrating social science topics into English language teaching to develop both language skills and critical thinking. By incorporating listening, speaking, reading, and writing activities related to real-world issues, students not only improve their language proficiency but also engage with social problems in a meaningful way.The data from self-assessment and peer review forms show that students become more reflective learners, able to evaluate their own progress and collaborate more effectively with their peers. Regular feedback and reflection also allow students to take ownership of their learning and continuously improve their skills in communication, analysis, and critical thinking.In conclusion, an interdisciplinary approach to language education, which combines language instruction with social science content, prepares students to not only excel academically but also become global citizens capable of participating in important societal discussions. The outcomes of this study suggest that similar models can be applied across different educational settings to create holistic, engaging, and impactful learning experiences.The case study findings provide strong evidence that integrating social science topics into English language teaching can lead to significant improvements in both languageproficiency and criticalthinking. Students were able to engage more deeply with the content, resulting in highermotivation and greaterfluency across the four major language skills. The use of self-assessment and peerreviewforms proved effective in promoting reflection and collaborativelearning, helping students to better understand their strengths and areas for improvement.Overall, this interdisciplinary approach not only prepares students for academicsuccess but also equips them to participate in meaningful conversations about globalsocialissues, enhancing their ability to be thoughtful and informed global citizens.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Dr. Devendran M, Dr. Ananthi T. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.