THE INTERSECTION OF COGNITION AND COMMUNICATION: DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING THROUGH LANGUAGE EDUCATION

Abstract

Modern language education has transitioned from a focus on linguistic competence to the integration of 21st-century skills, most notably critical thinking (CT). This article investigates the role of language instruction in fostering cognitive skills such as analysis, evaluation, and synthesis. By reviewing recent pedagogical shifts and empirical evidence, the study demonstrates that language learning provides a unique cognitive framework that naturally facilitates CT development. The findings suggest that explicit instruction, collaborative learning, and ICT integration are essential strategies for equipping learners with both linguistic and intellectual autonomy