Applying CDA In An EFL Context

Based on the previous theories of reading and achievements on critical discourse analysis (CDA), this paper is oriented to confirm critical reading model which is applying CDA into reading teaching can improve subjects’reading abilities and critical thinking abilities in an EFL context.In this paper, data were collected from two English reading curriculum classes. The students in these two classes are all non-English major freshmen in Central University of Finance and Economy. The reading curriculum was designed by the author. In this experiment, the author divided these two classes into two groups, namely the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group was taught by critical reading teaching model for a semester, on the other hand, the control group carried on the conventional teaching model of reading. Before and after the experiment, the test of critical reading comprehension ability, critical thinking skill ability and critical thinking disposition level were performed, in order to test the validity of the effect of CDA into reading teaching model.Through analyzing the experimental data and process of CDA reading training, it is concluded that the CDA critical reading teaching effectively improve the student’s reading comprehension ability, and the effect is remarkable; the CDA critical reading teaching has a positive effect of student’s critical thinking skill ability. The student’s critical thinking disposition level is also significantly improved. The multi-directional reconstruction of texts has basically formed in the course of CDA critical reading training. In doing so, the language creativity of student has enhanced in the end.Finally, the paper concludes the results and provides insights for future reading course:reading teaching model should be carefully studied and designed so as to ensure the feasibility and validity of reading teaching in an EFL context. The results also help deepen the teaching model of reading comprehension and provide a new direction for empirical studies for future critical reading teaching in an EFL context.