The Effect of a Critical Thinking-Based Approach on EFL University Students’ Attitudes Towards Studying English Literature

Abstract

In the realm of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education, the influence of critical thinking (CT) on students' attitudes towards English literature is an intriguing and relevant area of study. The current study seeks to understand how a critical thinking-based approach can enhance university students' overall learning experience and appreciation for this subject. The study explores the potential changes in attitudes exhibited by university-level EFL students towards studying English literature following the integration of CT. The study used a control-experimental pretest–posttest design to assess the effectiveness of the proposed approach utilising a questionnaire before and after the intervention. The results revealed a noticeable positive shift in students' attitudes towards studying English literature after exposure to the critical thinking-based approach.