Critical Thinking Ability and Vocabulary Learning Strategy Use: The Case of EFL Learners in an ESL Context

Critical thinking is considered important in the field of education due to its possible effects on language learning. Therefore, the reasons behind the success and failure of language learners have provoked researchers to examine different aspects of the language learning process. Moreover, improving learners’ critical thinking ability in the course of learning will enable students to rely on their own decisions and thoughts regarding the strategies and techniques that they would want to employ in learning the language. This paper reports the findings from a mixed-method study of 75 postgraduate students’ critical thinking ability and vocabulary learning strategy use, as well as comparing the critical thinking score of proficient and less proficient students. Data were collected using Schmitt’s vocabulary learning strategies question- naire, California critical thinking skills test and semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed a statisti- cally significant relationship between learners’ critical thinking ability and vocabulary learning strategies.