FW: Reframing the debate on Asian students and critical thinking: Implications for Western universities by Dave Rear
Reframing the Debate on Asian Students and Critical Thinking: Implications for Western Universities
David Rear Chuo University daverear.175@g.chuo-u.ac.jp
Abstract: This paper examines the widespread contention that, as a result of their cultural and educational backgrounds, students from Asia lack the critical thinking skills required when they study abroad at Western universities. It scrutinises this view from two perspectives. First, it problematises the use of Asia as a monolithic entity, arguing that the stereotyping of Asian students as uncritical is an act of Othering that fails to recognise the cultural and social diversity of such a large group of people. Second, it looks at studies of the critical thinking skills of Asian students to determine whether there is empirical evidence that they do indeed lack these fundamental cognitive abilities. From a comprehensive review of the literature, it finds that most of the specific skills and dispositions included within the umbrella of critical thinking can be found in equal or greater measure in the traditions, cultures and education systems of many Asian countries. Much of the supposed paucity of critical thinking amongst international Asian students can be explained by the fact that they are carrying out their studies in a foreign language, which has been shown to have a significantly negative impact on academic performance.
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| www.academia.edu This paper examines the widespread contention that, as a result of their cultural and educational backgrounds, students from Asia lack the critical thinking skills required when they study abroad at Western universities. It scrutinises this view from |
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