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THE IMPACT OF ILLUSTRATIONS ON DEVELOPING EFL STUDENTS' CRITICAL THINKING
Azizova Dilafruz Khabibulloyevna
ESP teacher, the department of languages at Tashkent State Agrarian University. azizovadilafruz24@gmail.com https://www.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10468048
ARTICLE INFO
ABSTRACT
Received: 02nd January 2024 Accepted: 07th January 2024 Online: 08th January 2024
KEY WORDS Sustained development,
teaching aids, visual materials, positive influence, cognitive learning, critical thinking skills, decision-making adaptability, interpersonal skills.
The following article deals with the significance of illustrations on acquiring the right mind set and skills of EFL students. Illustrations such as pictures, diagrams, images and figures are considered as basic elements to develop criticism for learners. General understanding of the role of illustrations to develop EFL students' critical thinking, its great significance in teaching productive and receptive skills such as writing, speaking, reading and listening is analyzed effectively. It is clarified with examples about how illustrations support students master the interrelated skills. The role, types and significance of illustrations are highlighted in this article.
INTRODUCTION. In this developing period, traditional teaching aids such as course books, activity books, etc., have no longer great influence on learners. The benefits of illustrations and pictures, their alignment with the way the modern skill desires and expects to be taught, meet the increasing demand of students intent on developing critical thinking skills such as strong communication abilities, problem-solving, leadership and decision-making adaptability, and interpersonal skills. Indeed, pictures and images are so important learning tools to develop critical thinking. Adult learners, learners of all ages, are far more likely to remember pictures, visuals than words. An estimated 80 to 90 percent of the information we received is accessed through our vision, according to the Harvard business review. This supplies students with real cultural information of the target language and give chance to synthesize their culture and other cultures.
The benefits of using pictures in the language classroom have been researched and asserted by scholars over the years. The various approaches to language teaching have used images as a main tool in the language acquisition. It is mentioned that pictures as a tool that can improve the teaching and learning process through the use of them in order to develop critical thinking effectively. Furthermore, it made clear reference to how students and teachers are benefited in EFL classrooms. Following pictures are going to be alluded in the sense of how they help in the development of students' critical thinking skills.
The overview of studies carried out to prove the importance of visuals in foreign language acquisition have helped to state the hypothesis in this research paper. The researchers mentioned here have claimed that visuals help to enhance the language
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teaching, as well as students' comprehension of the new input. Pictures also clarify the meaning of words and messages, help in memorizing new vocabulary, and in gaining students attention.
Indeed, a well-developed set of critical thinking skills builds self-empowerment and confidence. It enables you to efficiently gather knowledge, quickly process information and intelligently analyze data. Armed with critical thinking tools, you will be able to confidently adapt to most issues in life or work. At the present time, the teaching of English language must respond according to the development of updated teaching techniques. It is known that learners need extra instruction for them to understand better contents, and comprehend a second language. When teaching English, educators must find ways to exemplify and clarify contents to reach different kinds of learners. For this reason, the design and management of visual aids take an important role for the development of linguistic skills in the target language inside the EFL classroom. In general, it is recommended to utilize numerous illustrations to develop critical thinking of students and they give chance to memorize and comprehend new topic easily during the lessons. It is one of the most efficient ways to use appropriate pictures in activities related to theme in teaching language skills in foreign language.
It is better to remind our president's ideas about development the society in this place. "The Uzbekistan's Development Strategy for 2017 - 2021" which is to be implemented in 5 stages, each of which provides for approval of a separate annual State program in accordance with a declared name of the year, can be an example for the attempts to develop the society. The republic could only have sustained development and modernity if the people have the knowledge and expertise gained by having the opportunity to education at all levels right from junior school to higher education level. It is emphasized in the branch 4.4 "Development of education and science" in the Priority areas of development of the social sphere "implementing targeted measures aimed at strengthening the material - technical base of educational institutions through construction, reconstruction and repair, equipping with modern teaching and laboratory equipment, computers, teaching aids".1
Activities carried out in our country on improving all links in the sphere of education and upbringing - the system of preschool, school, secondary special and higher education, construction of new and reconstruction of existing educational institutions will give its results in formation of young generation as harmoniously developed individuals.
It is obvious that it may be complicated to teach foreign language without illustrations and pictures. Visual aids, when integrated into the lesson plan through media, attract students' attention to the topic presented in the class, enhance and facilitate comprehension of grammar and language, develop critical thinking, increase students' motivation, as well as help students to memorize the new vocabulary and structures. Apart from being an excellent tool to improve the language acquisition, the use of visual in the classroom provides a more meaningful context for the students. All these factors lead students to become more active and communicative members of the class group.
1 Sh. M. Mirziyoyev. "On Uzbekistan's Development strategy". Tashkent, 2017.
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