THE ROLE OF CRITICAL THINKING IN LANGUAGE EDUCATION

This article examines the pivotal role of critical thinking in foreign language education, particularly within the context of a developing society such as Uzbekistan. It argues that the modernization of the educational system – through the integration of innovative pedagogical approaches and advanced information technologies – is essential for fostering learners’ intellectual and linguistic development. Special attention is given to the importance of cultivating critical and creative thinking through instructional strategies such as inquiry-based learning, collaborative tasks, Socratic dialogue, and argumentative writing. The article also discusses challenges in assessing critical thinking and recommends alternative assessment methods, including performance-based tasks and portfolio evaluation.