THE ROLE OF CRITICAL THINKING IN MODERN PHILOLOGICAL EDUCATION
Keywords:
critical thinking, philological education, language learning, critical reading, literary analysis, communicative competence, higher education, analytical skills, text interpretation, academic writing.Abstract
The rapid development of information technologies, globalization, and the increasing complexity of communication processes have significantly transformed the objectives of modern philological education. In this context, critical thinking has become one of the key competencies required for effective language learning, literary analysis, and professional communication. This article examines the role of critical thinking in modern philological education and analyzes its impact on students’ academic and professional development. The study explores theoretical approaches to critical thinking, its relationship with language competence, textual interpretation, and analytical skills. Special attention is paid to the integration of critical thinking strategies into philology curricula through critical reading, discussion-based learning, problem-solving activities, and reflective writing. The findings indicate that the development of critical thinking enhances students’ ability to evaluate information objectively, interpret texts from multiple perspectives, construct logical arguments, and engage in independent research. Furthermore, critical thinking contributes to the formation of communicative competence, intercultural awareness, and lifelong learning skills that are essential in contemporary society. The article concludes that fostering critical thinking should be considered a fundamental component of modern philological education and an important factor in preparing highly qualified language specialists. Recent studies in philology and language education emphasize that critical thinking improves text interpretation, analytical reasoning, and academic performance among philology students.
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