Teaching Critical Analysis Of Academic Texts In Non-Linguistic Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

In the article, the author analyses the results of the study undertaken in a non-linguistic institute where the students, after completing their special course of study involving the application of skills in critical analysis of academic writing, were asked a number of questions for evaluating both the course itself and their newly acquired skills, in particular: 1) What is critical analysis/critical evaluation of a writing (a text)? 2) What did you find difficult about doing your critical analysis/critical evaluation of a writing (a text)? 3) What do you think is the most important thing in completing the special course ‘Academic Writing’? 4) Do you think your acquired critical analysis and evaluation skills may be useful for your future professional activity? 5) What would you recommend to change or add in the Academic Writing course programme? After summarising the results of the study, the author concludes that special courses aimed at the development of skills in critical analysis and critical evaluation of academic texts should be offered both in Bachelor’s and in Master’s programmes, as well as in postgraduate studies. The author also gives a number of recommendations for overcoming the difficulties that are likely to be encountered by the students in completing the course.