Critical thinking through translated literature in the EFL Omani Class

This paper rests on the hypothesis that critical thinking could be fostered through the use of translated literature in the EFL tertiary classroom. Narrative research methodology is used in the study, with twenty Advanced Academic Writing Course, English for English Specialists Credit program of Omani students of the Language Center, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman. While responding through reflective journal entries to the given prompts about the text, The Doum Tree of Wad Hamid (an English translation of TayebSalih’s Arabic story), students forge connections between the text and real life. This qualitative research enquiry unfolds Omani students’ critical thoughts and viewpoints while using Middle East literature in translation in the EFL classroom. Key words: Critical thinking, language learning, literature, reflection, Doum tree, narrative methodology.