Motivational Impact of Authentic Listening-Viewing Materials on ESL Students’ Critical Thinking Skills Development

In the contemporary educational context, the cultivation of critical thinking skills is essential for both academic and professional aims. Conventional teaching methods often fall short in motivating deep analysis and autonomous thinking. Authentic listening-viewing aids, including audio recordings and videos, are becoming increasingly pertinent in the educational setting. These aids not only create a more dynamic environment, but they also stimulate students’ cognitive processes by presenting information via multiple sensory channels. The following research examines the motivational impact of authentic listening-viewing materials on the development of university students’ critical thinking skills. Although the numerous benefits associated with audiovisual tools are well-publicized, there is a specific need to investigate their role in cultivating the motivation for critical thinking. Specifically, it aims to investigate a research question: Can authentic listening-viewing materials serve as a motivational tool in critical thinking skills development? The research employs theoretical and empirical methods, incorporating quantitative and qualitative analysis of data. During the experimental period, an experimental group (EG) had to complete a series of lessons with the listening-viewing materials and the activities, which were arranged according to L.W. Anderson and D.R. Krathwohl’s taxonomy. The group was given the pre- and post-tests to measure the participants’ level of critical thinking skills. The results of the post-test showed that authentic listening-viewing materials boost students’ motivation and therefore improved their critical thinking skills. According to the participants’ feedback, the classes conducted with the incorporation of audiovisual tools appeared to be more engaging.