Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

Teaching Foreign Languages In Context: Intermediate Italian And Critical Thinking, Chiara Frenquellucci

Critical and Creative Thinking Capstones Collection

Declining student interest in the study of foreign languages in U.S. universities has prompted calls for reform. This thesis proposes to enhance the teaching of intermediate Italian through the integration of critical thinking skills and innovative techniques of language instruction. Implementing such a program requires shifts in both content and teaching methods. Language (both native and foreign) is not a set of detached components, but rather a tool for communication of perceptions and ideas through meaningful exchanges. The learning of a language should fulfill its promise of proficiency and be a congenial opportunity for success in learning. Exploiting the natural …