CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS THROUGH NOBINOBI YOMIKAKI JAPANESE READING MATERIAL

Abstract

This study aims to determine the role of Nobinobi Yomikaki textbook in the establishment of 21st-century skills, specifically critical thinking in reading and writing courses or dokusaku. Reading is one of the skills in language learning, which is further divided into two classifications, namely beginner and advanced abilities. Foreign language learners, especially Japanese learners, must start by learning new written symbols. With the increasing demand for the supply of human resources who master 21st-century skills, educational institutions also began to make improvements by prioritizing the establishment of 21st-century abilities of the students in teaching and learning activities from elementary to university level. There are four skills that must be possessed by individuals or students in the 21st century, that is creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration, abbreviated as to 4C. Some things that can be done for the establishment of 21st-century abilities are to actively involve students in learning and be supported by qualified teaching materials. Nobinobi Yomikaki textbook is a teaching material that was developed based on the needs of beginner learners towards the establishment of 21st-century skills. The method used is a descriptive research method by describing the indicators of critical thinking skills achieved during the use of Nobinobi Yomikaki textbook. Data collection techniques are carried out by observing during teaching and learning activities. The results showed that indicators of critical thinking skills were found in students when learning using teaching materials; among them are students who could use the type of reasoning that was appropriate to the situation, and then were able to analyze evidence, arguments, and different points of view, and could reflect critically on experiences and their learning process.