Abstract Book of the 3rd International Education Conference
Year: 2025
[PDF]
To What Extent Interactive Methods Used in EFL Classrooms Can Develop Students Critical Thinking Skills
Sevil Aghayeva, Ainura Iskandarova, Aytan Suleymanova
ABSTRACT:
Interactive methods in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classroom have emerged as transformative tools to develop critical thinking skills among learners. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the extent to which the interactive teaching methods in English as Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms affect students’ critical thinking skills. A mixed-method approach has been used to collect data. The study sample consists of undergraduate EFL learners from intermediate-level classrooms, selected through purposive sampling to ensure a diverse range of abilities and learning styles. An experimental design was adopted, where participants were divided into control and experimental groups. Findings show that interactive methods significantly improve student engagement, critical thinking, and knowledge retention compared to traditional approaches. Statistical analyses highlight notable gains in students’ abilities to analyze, evaluate, interpret, reason, and solve problems. The study underscores the effectiveness of interactive teaching in fostering higher-order thinking and active learning, advocating for its integration in EFL classrooms to enhance student outcomes.
Keywords: Azerbaijan, collaborative learning, debate, higher-order thinking skills, role plays