The Building Blocks of Language Learning via CALL: Practicing Critical Thinking Strategies in Reading Comprehension Instruction and its Reflection on EFL Learners' Mindfulness, Resilience, and Academic Growth

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of integrating critical thinking (CT) strategies into Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) environments on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' mindfulness, resilience, and language attainment in academic growth. Drawing on a concurrent mixed-methods design, participants were selected from two intact classes in an Indian language institute, with each class consisting of 20 learners randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received CT instruction in reading comprehension within CALL platforms, while the control group received traditional teacher-fronted sessions in CALL. Semi-structured interviews and a teacher-made test were utilized to collect data on mindfulness, resilience, and language attainment. Thematic analysis revealed that learners in the experimental group demonstrated improvements in mindfulness, resilience, and language attainment compared to those in the control group. Statistical analysis further supported these findings, indicating significant differences between the two groups on posttest measures. These results suggest integrating CT instruction into CALL-mediated language learning can enhance learners' cognitive and socio-affective dimensions, promoting deeper engagement, critical analysis, and metacognitive awareness. The study contributes to the growing body of literature on the intersection of CT, CALL, and language education, highlighting the potential of CALL platforms to facilitate meaningful learning experiences that foster learners' language proficiency and academic performance. The implications of these findings for language teachers, syllabus designers, materials developers, and policymakers are discussed, emphasizing the importance of integrating CT instruction into language education to prepare learners for today's globalized world better.