Abstract

Knowledge has been transforming and progressing at an unprecedented pace at the present time. In the face of the incomprehensible transformation and progression of the knowledge, human beings have had to change their vital needs. Education is among these vital needs. In the last century, particularly in the last quarter of the century, the developments in the knowledge and science necessitate the formation of relevant education-instruction programs. In today’s world, raising individuals who can keep up with this progress and transformation has become the main responsibility of educational institutions. One of the most important issues that are emphasized in the new curriculums is to raise individuals who perceive knowledge and life from a critical perspective, produce, manage and interpret knowledge. Instead of the understanding that accepts the knowledge as is not or the challenges in the life without questioning, it is aimed to raise individuals who question the knowledge and life through how and why questions, investigate, reason and produce new knowledge. This can be actualized only by raising generations with a critical understanding. Therefore, one of the basic skills that are aimed to be developed through the new curriculums which have been created with a constructive approach is the critical thinking skill. Critical thinking skills play a fundamental role in terms of improving other basic language skills which are targeted to be provided within the Turkish language course curriculum, in addition to the four basic learning domains given as reading, speaking, listening, and writing. The impact of critical learning cannot be rejected in terms of the development of all basic language skills. Individuals with advanced critical reading, critical speaking, critical listening and critical writing skills approach to situations and incidents with a disciplined, systematized and questioning understanding. They also improve other skills like creative thinking, communication, problem-solving, decision making, using information technologies, investigation, and entrepreneurship which are included in the curriculum.

Key words: Basic language skills, skill, thinking, knowledge, critical thinking, thinking skill.