After exploring what critical thinking is and why it is so important to adult ESOL learners, participants will learn specific classroom strategies and resources for teaching it in their ESOL classroom.  Included among the strategies and resources are modifications teachers can make to existing ESOL lessons; questions teachers can ask that encourage learners to think more critically; and the language learners need in order to express critical thinking.  The community of practice is designed for participants to try out various tools and techniques appropriate to their classroom needs and student level, and to receive feedback, guidance and support from the CoP facilitator and other participants.

The CoP lasts six weeks, with an estimated time commitment of one-two hours each week.  Participants are expected to complete an online self-study course that covers background information on the topic and relevant classroom examples. They are also expected to apply what they're learning in their classrooms, and debrief and discuss the readings and their experiences in online weekly discussion forums.  The CoP is run though the Blackboard learning management system, and upon registering, participants will be enrolled in a Bb course.  Links within the Blackboard course will take participants to the LINCS website where they will complete the self-study course.