THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRITICAL THINKING ABILITY OF IRANIAN EFL LEARNERS AND THEIR LEARNING STYLES

Developing critical thinking ability and knowledge of different learning styles among the students are very important in language education. This study aimed to examine the relationship between critical thinking ability and learning style dimensions of Iranian EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners. To do so, two instruments, Kolb Learning Style Inventory, and a questionnaire of Critical Thinking, were administered among 123 intermediate college students majoring in English Translation and English Literature at Roudehen Islamic Azad University in Iran. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients as well as multiple regression analysis. The results revealed a statistically significant and positive relationship between all learning style dimensions and critical thinking ability. Moreover, the results of regression analysis indicated that Abstract Conceptualization dimension of learning style predicted best the critical thinking score. The findings may provide language teachers with deep insights into the way they match their own teaching styles with students’ learning styles to enhance learners’ critical thinking ability.