FOSTERING STUDENTS’ CRITICAL THINKING THROUGH READING TEXTS WITH MORAL VALUES

Abstract

Reading comprehension plays a key role in developing language skills, enabling students to interact with various texts and understand their meanings well. In addition, translation skills are also very important in the language learning process, as they aid intercultural communication and understanding. Thus, reading and translation activities in the English classroom provide students with the opportunity to practice both their receptive and productive language skills, encouraging a balanced approach to language learning. UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung conducted this study to explore the significance of integrating reading comprehension and translation in the development of students' English language skills. The study used qualitative methods by using interviews as the main instrument and involved eight 6th-semester students from the English Education Department to be sampled. Based on the result, integrating reading comprehension with translation skills is essential to achieving language proficiency. It is illustrated from the interview results that students apply the process of integrating the two skills in reading comprehension. Strong reading comprehension allows students to understand the context and nuances of the text, which is essential for accurate translation. Moreover, when students can comprehend texts deeply, they can better interpret and convey the original message in another language. This integration ultimately leads to more accurate and contextually appropriate translations, making it a vital component of language education.