The Influence Of The English Reading Circle In Developing Critical Thinking Skills For IB Middle School Students

Since the learner-centered approach has been carried out in the newest educational reform in China and the aim of developing students’ thinking ability and optimizing the thinking quality has also been proposed,the reading circle which is based on the readerresponse theory becomes fashionable in the educational field of secondary school.The reading circle is the reading-centered activity which effectively integrates English language skills through independent learning and cooperative inquiry.The critical thinking skill is also trained and improved in reading circle.Cultivating critical thinking not only improves the analytical and problem-solving skills,but also allows students to better differentiate between right and wrong,correct mistakes,and innovate.The intention of this study is to explore the specific characteristics of the reading circle for the cultivation of critical thinking,implementation methods and learners’ feedback.The research has conducted a qualitative study in a K12 school which delivers the International Baccalaureate Programme in Shanghai.According to the frameworks of critical discourse analysis and frame semantics analysis,the researcher analyzes the process of taking the book introduction lessons for Grade 9 students,carrying out independent reading of English novels,writing reading reports,organizing reading circle and conducting student interviews.The reader response theory,constructivism and critical thinking skills framework are the theoretical basis of the study.The results of the study indicate that the reading circle has a positive impact on cultivating the critical thinking.The spontaneity,dialogism and integration are factors that promote the development of the critical thinking.In the meanwhile,learners also reported that they were able to think deeply about the books autonomously and improve the English language skills and social skills in the pleasant and relaxed academic environment of the reading circle.Therefore,the reading circle not only cultivates the critical thinking ability,but also foster the comprehensive ability and thinking quality that will benefit students for life.