Topic 1.
Boost Your Critical Thinking!
”I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think”.
”The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing”.
Group Activity 1.1 Listening Comprehension and Speaking
Task 1.
Have you ever heard of the Socratic Method? Watch the video and explore this unique technique.
Answer the following questions:
- What is the essence of the Socratic Method?
- Is it still relevant nowadays?
Task 2. Mark the following statements as T (True), F (False) or NS (Not Stated):
1. Debates were one of the main techniques employed by Socrates to develop critical thinking.
2. Socrates always knew the right answers to his followers’ questions but he wanted them to find the answers themselves.
3. Socrates responded to his partners’ answers only with further questions.
4. In collaboration with his partners, Socrates developed a question-based approach to learning and teaching, which is widely used nowadays.
5. The Socratic question-based approach is reflected in many sciences, such as astronomy, clinical medicine, and maths.
6. Today, the Socratic method is considered dated and must be reconsidered to be used.
In pairs, compare your answers.
Task 3. Interview:
Divide into groups of three. Choose a role:
Role A – Socrates;
Role B – his student;
Role C– the interviewer.
In the form of a short interview with Socrates and his student, discuss:
1) the essence of Socrates’s approach to finding out the truth;
2) how it was taught and employed;
3) how it is employed nowadays—you have a chance to tell Socrates the implications of his method for modern science and society development!
Group Activity 1.2 Case study
Critical thinking is closely intertwined with problem-solving.
Discuss in pairs and share your ideas:
• Do you prefer solving problems alone or working with other people? Why?
• What problem-solving techniques can you come up with?
Read the blog post 'The Art of Problem Solving'.
Does it mention any of the techniques you’ve discussed? Which technique from the blog appeals to you? Do you use any of them in your daily life?
Work in pairs/groups of three. You're going to put these techniques into practice, solving a problem. Choose one of the following problems:
Cases
o СASE 1. The school where you are a principal has recently launched a new digital learning platform, but some teachers flatly refuse to integrate it into their teaching practice.
o СASE 2. Some students in your English class demonstrate a lack of motivation and interest in the subject. Their academic performance and participation are declining significantly.
o СASE 3. Your best friend constantly compares themselves to native speakers, envies more ‘proficient’ and popular teachers on Instagram, and suffers from 'Impostor Syndrome'.
o СASE 4. Some of your colleagues think your English classes with the main focus on speaking and group work are all fun and games. In their opinion, you should be focusing more on grammar drills and having students work individually. They think that's the "serious" way to learn a language.
Choose any technique from the blog post.
Work together to come up with the solution, using the chosen technique. Elaborate on some details of the problem. Think about the following:
o what happened leading up to the problem (the causes)
o who/what was involved
o possible consequences of the problem
o how exactly you are going to solve it
Report back to the class. Be ready to introduce your reasons (use the 'reasoning' mind map).
Compare your solutions with the ones of other teams. Are they similar or completely different?
Which team has the most effective solution? Why?
In what situations might you use the other problem-solving techniques from the lesson in the future?
Blog post
(adapted from 'Roadmap', Advanced, Pearson Publishing)
How to introduce reasons:
