The relationship between Iranian language learners’ critical thinking ability and their reading comprehension achievement

2014 IJRSLL – Volume 3 Issue 7

Author/s:

Nasirahmadi, Arman*
Shahid Beheshti University, Iran (Arman_nasirahmadi@yahoo.com)

Abstract:

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between Iranian language learners’ critical thinking ability and their reading comprehension achievement. To do so, two BA English classes from the faculty of letters and humanities of Shahid Beheshti University were selected as the participants of the study. They were given the Farsi version of Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal and Academic IELTS reading test and the obtained data were analyzed through Pearson-Product moment Correlation Coefficient and doing a statistical regression analysis. The results revealed that there was a positive and moderately high correlation between the two variables of the present study and that the students’ scores on the critical thinking test could predict their success or failure in the IELTS academic reading section. The findings of this study have some implications for educational policy makers, syllabus designers and EFL teachers to help them improve their academic, political and social lives.

Keywords: critical thinking; reading comprehension; EFL learners; Watson-Glaser critical thinking appraisal; correlation; regression analysis

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5861/ijrsll.2014.689

*Corresponding Author