From Belief to Inquiry: Transforming Perspectives in the English Language Classroom

Fostering a scientific mindset and enhancing critical thinking abilities stands as the fundamental aim of education. If educators overlook engrained stereotypes and superstitions within students, the cultivation of progressive and unbiased thinking becomes challenging. Put differently, the pursuit o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Peace review (Palo Alto, Calif.) Vol. 36; no. 3; pp. 430 - 442
Main Author:	Karthika, V.K.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Abingdon Taylor & Francis 02-07-2024 Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects:	Bias Classrooms Critical thinking Culture English language Knowledge Language attitudes Stereotypes Students Superstition Teachers Teaching methods
Online Access:	Get full text
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Summary:	Fostering a scientific mindset and enhancing critical thinking abilities stands as the fundamental aim of education. If educators overlook engrained stereotypes and superstitions within students, the cultivation of progressive and unbiased thinking becomes challenging. Put differently, the pursuit of knowledge risks futility without a foundation of objective thought and action, while socially and emotionally being connected to the world. This essay recounts an episode from an English for Specific Purposes (ESP) class at an engineering institution in India, weaving together a discussion on superstitions and how it prompted learners to reassess their own irrational beliefs. It documents the positive transformation in classroom dynamics and the cultivation of critical thinking by employing topics relevant to students' transportable identities, facilitated by Socratic questioning techniques.
ISSN:	1040-2659 1469-9982
DOI:	10.1080/10402659.2024.2344593