Arab World English Journal, August 2015 Bejaia University, International Conference Proceedings – 2015 Pp. 70-77
Algerian EFL Course, the Digital Competence, and Critical Thinking Skills
Hamid Amziane
&
Amar Guendouzi
Department of English
Mouloud Mammeri University of Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria
Abstract:
This paper examined the uses of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) in Algerian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) course from the perspective of critical thinking. It sought to address issue of the unethical practice of ‘copy and paste’ which plagues most of the learners’ research projects by exploring the ICT skills fostered in the Middle and High school textbooks of English and discussing their pertinence to the implementation of the intellectual competency. For this, the following question was asked: How do Algerian EFL textbooks spell, develop, and/or foster the digital competence? In other words, how are the Internet resources tapped and employed by the Algerian EFL educationists to foster research skills and strengthen cognitive processes leading to critical thinking and autonomy? The exploration of the textbooks has shown that the digital competence in the Algerian EFL course is limited to technical skills, especially as most of the tasks involving the use of the Internet are there to serve solely linguistic and (inter)cultural purposes. Propositions are made, therefore, so as to develop the digital competency in tandem with the intellectual skills.
Key words: Algerian EFL Course, critical thinking, digital competence, Internet skills.