It is often suggested that students from Confucian heritage
cultures find it difficult to think critically. However, like most
stereotypes, this is unlikely to be true. Research has found
that students from CHC are capable of high-level critical
thinking (Biggs, 2003). It is not the international students’
cognitive skills that are in question but their English
language ability that influences their reading,
understanding, interpretation and evaluation of the material
that is demonstrated in either written or oral expression. As
we know, developing critical thinking skills is equally
challenging for domestic students.
Teaching critical thinking skills can be useful in assisting
students to develop learning strategies to avoid plagiarism.
Classroom activities that model critical thinking skills in our
discussions, create learning opportunities for students to
develop their skills and offer feedback can guide students’
development of critical thinking skills. These may include: