DESIGNING CRITICAL THINKING ACTIVITIES FOR HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS: STRATEGIES FOR PROMOTING LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AND CRITICAL THINKING

This article examines how critical thinking activities can be designed to simultaneously promote language acquisition and critical thinking skills among high school learners. Language learning is most effective when combined with higher-order thinking tasks that challenge students to analyze, evaluate, and create. Strategies such as debate, problem-solving, project-based learning, and reflective journaling provide opportunities for students to engage with the target language in meaningful and intellectually stimulating ways. By integrating critical thinking into language instruction, educators can foster deeper learning and equip students with the cognitive and linguistic tools needed for academic and real-world success.