External factors and endogenous elements fostering critical thinking of tertiary EFL learners in China: a grounded theory study

The cultivation of critical thinking (CT) skills is a fundamental aim within the realm of higher education. It assumes particular significance within the domain of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). This study directs its focus on the Chinese tertiary TEFL context and endeavours to expli...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xinke, Song, Razali, Abu Bakar, Sulaiman, Tajularipin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Society for Research and Knowledge Management 2024
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113505/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113505/1/113505.pdf
_version_ 1848866244248207360
author Xinke, Song
Razali, Abu Bakar
Sulaiman, Tajularipin
author_facet Xinke, Song
Razali, Abu Bakar
Sulaiman, Tajularipin
author_sort Xinke, Song
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description The cultivation of critical thinking (CT) skills is a fundamental aim within the realm of higher education. It assumes particular significance within the domain of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). This study directs its focus on the Chinese tertiary TEFL context and endeavours to explicate what the external factors are, as well as endogenous elements and ways to foster students’ critical thinking. Methodologically, the study adopted grounded theory (GT) and drew upon qualitative data gathered through interviews with 36 participants, including both students and instructors recruited from prestigious universities, mid-tier colleges, and less developed college across China. The data analysis, utilizing NVivo12 software, encompasses a multilevel coding process, including open, axial, and selective coding, in accordance with the principles of GT. The outcome of this meticulous analysis results in the formulation of a comprehensive model revealing the interplay among external influences, endogenous elements, and ways to foster the development of CT skills among tertiary English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students. The implications of these findings extend pedagogically to multiple stakeholders within the tertiary TEFL context.
first_indexed 2025-11-15T14:17:31Z
format Article
id upm-113505
institution Universiti Putra Malaysia
institution_category Local University
language English
last_indexed 2025-11-15T14:17:31Z
publishDate 2024
publisher Society for Research and Knowledge Management
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling upm-1135052024-11-26T02:36:01Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113505/ External factors and endogenous elements fostering critical thinking of tertiary EFL learners in China: a grounded theory study Xinke, Song Razali, Abu Bakar Sulaiman, Tajularipin The cultivation of critical thinking (CT) skills is a fundamental aim within the realm of higher education. It assumes particular significance within the domain of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). This study directs its focus on the Chinese tertiary TEFL context and endeavours to explicate what the external factors are, as well as endogenous elements and ways to foster students’ critical thinking. Methodologically, the study adopted grounded theory (GT) and drew upon qualitative data gathered through interviews with 36 participants, including both students and instructors recruited from prestigious universities, mid-tier colleges, and less developed college across China. The data analysis, utilizing NVivo12 software, encompasses a multilevel coding process, including open, axial, and selective coding, in accordance with the principles of GT. The outcome of this meticulous analysis results in the formulation of a comprehensive model revealing the interplay among external influences, endogenous elements, and ways to foster the development of CT skills among tertiary English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students. The implications of these findings extend pedagogically to multiple stakeholders within the tertiary TEFL context. Society for Research and Knowledge Management 2024 Article PeerReviewed text en cc_by_nc_nd_4 http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113505/1/113505.pdf Xinke, Song and Razali, Abu Bakar and Sulaiman, Tajularipin (2024) External factors and endogenous elements fostering critical thinking of tertiary EFL learners in China: a grounded theory study. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 23 (6). pp. 125-151. ISSN 1694-2116; eISSN: 1694-2116 http://ijlter.org/index.php/ijlter/article/view/10311 10.26803/ijlter.23.6.6
spellingShingle Xinke, Song
Razali, Abu Bakar
Sulaiman, Tajularipin
External factors and endogenous elements fostering critical thinking of tertiary EFL learners in China: a grounded theory study
title External factors and endogenous elements fostering critical thinking of tertiary EFL learners in China: a grounded theory study
title_full External factors and endogenous elements fostering critical thinking of tertiary EFL learners in China: a grounded theory study
title_fullStr External factors and endogenous elements fostering critical thinking of tertiary EFL learners in China: a grounded theory study
title_full_unstemmed External factors and endogenous elements fostering critical thinking of tertiary EFL learners in China: a grounded theory study
title_short External factors and endogenous elements fostering critical thinking of tertiary EFL learners in China: a grounded theory study
title_sort external factors and endogenous elements fostering critical thinking of tertiary efl learners in china: a grounded theory study
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113505/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113505/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113505/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113505/1/113505.pdf