HOW TO INFUSE EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS OF CRITICAL THINKING INTO THE COURSE CURRICULUM

Despite the belief that explicit instruction can foster higher-order thinking skills, uncertainty remains regarding its optimal application.This study explored how and to what extent college instructors in Azerbaijan integrate critical thinking into their courses and examined students' perceptions in English-medium instruction settings.Using classroom observation, testing, and surveys, the study found that students' critical thinking skills improved by 25% after explicit instruction.Active participation in discussions further enhanced performance.The findings highlight the effectiveness of explicit teaching methods and emphasize the need to tailor instruction to individual student characteristics, paving the way for further research in education.