1 DEVELOPMENT OF A SOURCE MATERIAL FOR TEACHING STUDY AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS FOR ESL LEARNERS

This paper attempted to present a source material for the teaching of study and critical thinking skills for ESL (English as a second Language) Learners. Specifically, it aimed to determine the critical thinking skills which need to be developed among the ESL Learners and develop a sample source material for the teaching of study and critical thinking skills. The study made use of the descriptive method of research. The task was divided into three stages following Johnson’s model of materials preparation (Johnson, 1972, Guilot, 2000) which included the design, development, and dissemination stages. Results of the study showed that college students obviously have difficulties in reading the disciplines as reported by English Teachers and the Content Area Teachers, and that the developed prototype materials based on ERICA (Effective Reading in the Content Areas) strategies were promising instruments for attaining reading-to-learn objectives. The material appears suitable, acceptable and effective as viewed and perceived by English teachers and the Content Area teachers. It is recommended that teachers of both language and content subjects are enjoined to use the material so that students will be used to using strategies to develop critical thinking skills