THE IMPROVEMENT OF STUDENTS’ CRITICAL THINKING THROUGH SOCRATIC QUESTIONING METHOD AT UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH SUMATERA

Abstract

This research was carried due to the lack of students’ critical thinking at English Education department of University of Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara on speaking. Answering questions were approximately found more popular than asking questions. In response to that matter this research dealt with the application of Socratic questioning method in teaching speaking in order to improve the students’ critical thinking. Socratic questioning is a method of learning with the conversation or debate confronted with a series of questions. Speaking materials were focused on updated hot issues happening in the world wide. The location of this research was University of Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU), Medan. The subject was 40 students of semester III by using action research. The result showed that Socratic questioning method was not only able to improve the students’ speaking skill but also their critical thinking.  Their self- confidence and knowledge background dealing with material were significantly improved.The data analysis showed that applying Socratic questioning method in teaching speaking needed process it was not enough to be conducted in one meeting only. It is strongly suggested to the speaking lecturers to increase the students’ speaking ability by Socratic questioning method.

Keywords: critical thinking, Socratic questioning, method, improvement