About This Course

This course aims for the development of learners’ proficiency in English 
writing and ability of critical thinking by integrating the knowledge and 
strategies of critical thinking into the traditional teaching about Englishargumentative essays. This course aims for the development of learners’ proficiency in English 
writing and ability of critical thinking by integrating the knowledge and 
strategies of critical thinking into the traditional teaching about Englishargumentative essays. Core learning contents of the course include critical 
thinking strategies, English discourse organization skills, and language tips of 
effective written English. Upon the completion of the course, learners will be 
able to understand the purpose and core components of a critical essay, 
present clear theses over contemporary issues, apply five inductive and 
deductive reasoning strategies to justify their theses, evaluate and respond to 
conflicting ideas forcefully, produce complete persuasive critical essays in 
accurate English, and reflect on their own thinking and writing and make 
self-correction if necessary. All of this will give learners better competence in 
international communication and decisive edge in global competition.

Requirements

Add information about the skills and knowledge students need to take this course.

Course Staff

Lei TANG，MA in English Language and Literature; PhD candidate in Social Psychology; Lecturer in the College of Foreign Languages, Nankai University; Senior Fellow of The Higher Education Academy, UK; Instructor of the course Journey of Effective Teaching offered by National Online Training Center for Higher Education Teachers of China. Teaching specialties: critical thinking development, blended learning, teacher development. Research interests: TESL, teaching pedagogies of higher education, social psychology. Awards & scholarships: “Excellent Young Teacher” Award of the First Education and Teaching Awards of Nankai University (2019); First Prize (as the second team leader), the Eighth Teaching Achievement Awards of the Municipality of Tianjin, China (2018); Second member of the Excellent Teaching Team of the Municipality of Tianjin, China (2018); First Prize, First National Micro-Course Contest of Foreign Languages in China (2015); Fulbright scholarship for foreign language teaching assistantship in the United States (2011). Professional development: completion of English as Medium of Instruction (EMI) Trainer Development Course from the British Council (2018); completion of Innovative Pedagogies and Curriculum Design Skills Development Course from The Higher Education Academy, UK (2017); Professional Development in the TESOL Program from the University of Victoria, Canada (2014).

Xia LI ，MA in English Language and Literature; PhD in Social Psychology; Associate professor in the College of Foreign Languages, Nankai University; Senior Fellow of The Higher Education Academy, UK; Lecturer of National Open Online course The Bible and Western Civilization; Course designer and Instructor of the course Journey of Effective Teaching offered by National Online Training Center for Higher Education Teachers of China. Teaching specialties: cross cultural communication; teacher development. Research interests: TESL, cross cultural communication, teaching methodology. Awards & scholarships: First Prize (twice, as the first team leader in 2018; the 2nd team leader in 2013), the Teaching Achievement Awards of the Municipality of Tianjin, China; leader of the Excellent Teaching Team of the Municipality of Tianjin, China (2018); leader of the Excellent Teaching Team of Nankai University in 2019; First Prize (twice, in 2017 and 2013 respectively), Excellent Teaching Achievement Awards of Nankai University; leader of the Excellent Teaching Team of Nankai University in 2016; 3 National Top-quality Awards for making online open courses (Christianity and Western Civilization and College English) in 2016, 2010 and 2013 respectively; the Charm Class Award of Nankai University in 2015; the Outstanding Teacher Award of Nankai University in 2014.

Haibo SHEN，MA in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics; PhD in Bilingual Education and Bilingualism; Lecturer in the College of Foreign Languages, Nankai University. Teaching specialties: academic writing, EAP. Research interests: TESL, bilingual education, bilingualism, social linguistics.

Michael Hooper has been teaching English in China since 2009. Although he began his career as a primary school teacher, he soon made the transition to teaching university level students and now lectures at Nankai University. Professional experiences: Academic English teacher at Nankai University; Member of the advisory board of World Socialism Studies, a journal of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Assistant-Editor of the Australian Marxist Review, the theoretical journal of the Communist Party of Australia; Proof-reader for International Critical Thought, a journal of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Business English and Spoken English trainer at Lucky International English Center; Teaching Assistant at The University of Adelaide, Australia.

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