Evidence Detectives

Intermediate (B1) 50 minutes
EAP Critical Thinking Game preview for Intermediate B1: matching, discussion, giving reasons, presenting, communicative practice

EAP Critical Thinking Game - Reading and Speaking: Matching, Discussion, Giving Reasons, Presenting, Communicative Practice - Group Work

In this rewarding critical thinking game, students evaluate the reliability of different types of evidence by matching evidence cards to claims, ranking...

EAP Critical Thinking Game - Reading and Speaking: Matching, Discussion, Giving Reasons, Presenting, Communicative Practice - Group Work In this rewarding critical thinking game, students evaluate the reliability of different types of evidence by matching evidence cards to claims, ranking each set from strongest to weakest, and justifying their choices. In teams, students read the first claim on the worksheet and match three evidence cards to it. After finding three matches, teams rank the evidence cards from strongest to weakest by reliability, discussing their reasons. Students record their answers, in order, next to the corresponding claim along with a brief justification. Students then move on to the second claim, and so on. When all the claims have been completed, teams swap worksheets with another team for marking. Go through the claims one by one, reveal the correct ranking by reliability, and elicit example justifications. Teams score one point for each correctly matched evidence card, plus an extra point if all three are in the correct order. The team with the most points wins the game. As an extension, teams present one claim to the class, explaining their ranking and justification of each piece of evidence, with each team member explaining one evidence card and why they ranked it in that position.
Exclusive PDF Online

Fact vs. Opinion

Intermediate (B1) 35 minutes
EAP Critical Thinking Worksheet preview for Intermediate B1: identifying, answering questions, discussion, pair work

EAP Critical Thinking Worksheet - Reading and Writing Exercises:, Answering Questions - Speaking Activity: Discussion, Communicative Practice - Pair Work

In this free critical thinking worksheet, students learn the differences between facts and opinions and practice distinguishing between the two. First, students...

EAP Critical Thinking Worksheet - Reading and Writing Exercises: Identifying, Answering Questions - Speaking Activity: Discussion, Communicative Practice - Pair Work In this free critical thinking worksheet, students learn the differences between facts and opinions and practice distinguishing between the two. First, students read a text explaining the differences between facts and opinions and answer questions in their own words. Students then read four statements and discuss them with a partner to decide if each one is a fact or an opinion. Next, students complete statements using words and phrases from a box. After that, students categorise the words and phrases according to whether they signal a fact or an opinion. Following that, students read a text about opinions that are disguised as facts. Students then choose a statement and analyse it by answering questions. Finally, students read a rewritten statement to a partner and ask them if it is a fact or an opinion, and why they think so.
Online

Identifying Logical Fallacies

Intermediate (B1) 45 minutes
EAP Logical Fallacies Worksheet preview for Intermediate B1: matching, identifying, rewriting a speech, discussion, peer review

EAP Logical Fallacies Worksheet - Reading and Writing Exercises: Matching, Identifying, Rewriting a Speech - Speaking Activity: Discussion, Freer Practice - Pair Work

In this useful logical fallacies worksheet, students learn about common logical fallacies and practice identifying them. First, in pairs, students discuss three...

EAP Logical Fallacies Worksheet - Reading and Writing Exercises: Matching, Identifying, Rewriting a Speech, Peer Review - Speaking Activity: Discussion, Freer Practice - Pair Work In this useful logical fallacies worksheet, students learn about common logical fallacies and practice identifying them. First, in pairs, students discuss three questions that introduce the topic. Students then read a text about logical fallacies and match the words in bold from the text to their definitions. Next, students read about common logical fallacies and match statements to the correct fallacy. After that, students read two opening speeches of a debate and underline the logical fallacies. Students then answer questions about the opening speeches. Following that, students choose an opening speech and rewrite it, removing the logical fallacies and improving the strength of the argument. Finally, students swap opening speeches with a partner, who provides feedback.
Exclusive PDF Online

Critical Analysis Challenge

Upper-intermediate (B2) 40 minutes
EAP Critical Thinking Activity preview for Upper-intermediate B2: guided discussion, analysis, pair & group work

EAP Critical Thinking Activity - Speaking Activity: Discussion, Communicative Practice - Pair and Group Work

In this comprehensive critical thinking activity, students discuss realistic academic scenarios to practice key critical thinking skills, such as evaluating sources, identifying bias, and explaining logical fallacies...

EAP Critical Thinking Activity - Speaking Activity: Guided Discussion, Communicative Practice - Pair and Group Work In this comprehensive critical thinking activity, students discuss realistic academic scenarios to practice key critical thinking skills, such as evaluating sources, identifying bias, and explaining logical fallacies. In pairs, students take turns picking up a scenario card and reading it aloud. The scenarios focus on key critical thinking competencies: evaluating source reliability, identifying logical fallacies, questioning research claims, recognising bias, and strengthening arguments. Next, the two students discuss the scenario for three minutes using the questions on the card. Then, the other student turns over the next card, and so on. The activity continues until students have discussed all eight cards. Next, pairs choose one scenario that they found interesting or challenging and discuss three questions from the board. After a few minutes, pairs join together to make groups of four. In their groups, each pair discusses their chosen scenario with the other pair. Groups then give a summary of their discussion to the class. Finally, students tell the class how they can apply the critical thinking skills they practiced in the activity to their academic work and everyday life.
Exclusive PDF Online

Identifying Bias

Upper-intermediate (B2) 40 minutes
EAP Critical Thinking Worksheet preview for Upper-intermediate B2: identifying, bias analysis, discussion, pair work

EAP Critical Thinking Worksheet- Reading Exercises: Identifying, Making Inferences - Speaking Activity: Discussion, Presenting, Freer Practice - Pair Work

In this identifying bias worksheet, students practice identifying bias through text analysis. First, students read a short introduction to bias. In pairs, students then...

EAP Critical Thinking Worksheet- Reading Exercises: Identifying, Making Inferences, Form Completion - Speaking Activity: Discussion, Presenting, Freer Practice - Pair Work In this identifying bias worksheet, students practice identifying bias through text analysis. First, students read a short introduction to bias. In pairs, students then discuss two questions related to bias. Students then compare two news excerpts describing the same event and analyze how bias is presented in each one. Next, students read an extract from an academic article and answer bias-related questions. Students then select a topic, conduct an online search to find two articles from different sources and use a checklist to assess bias in each, recording their findings in a Bias Analysis Table. After that, each pair prepares a short presentation summarizing their analysis and presents it to the class. Finally, pairs discuss questions about their two articles and then give feedback to the class.
Exclusive PDF Online

Introduction to Critical Thinking

Upper-intermediate (B2) 35 minutes
EAP Critical Thinking Worksheet preview for Upper-intermediate B2: comprehension, paragraph writing, discussion, pair work

EAP Critical Thinking Worksheet- Reading and Writing Exercises: Paragraph Writing - Speaking Activity: Discussion, Freer Practice - Pair Work

In this critical thinking worksheet, students learn about critical thinking and examine a case study of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes, analysing how he uses...

EAP Critical Thinking Worksheet- Reading and Writing Exercises: Comprehension Questions, Paragraph Writing - Speaking Activity: Discussion, Freer Practice - Pair Work In this critical thinking worksheet, students learn about critical thinking and examine a case study of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes, analysing how he uses critical thinking skills, and applying those skills to solve a mystery of their own. First, students identify five adjectives they think describe a critical thinker and discuss them with a partner. Students then read a text about critical thinking and match words from the text to their definitions. Next, students answer comprehension questions based on the text. After that, students read a text about Sherlock Holmes and answer true or false questions. In pairs, students then imagine they are detectives using critical thinking to solve a case. Students then discuss notes they took at the crime scene and write a paragraph about what they think happened. Finally, pairs share their deductions with the class and explain their reasoning.
Exclusive PDF Online

Logical Fallacy Auction

Upper-intermediate (B2) 30 minutes
EAP Critical Thinking Game preview for Upper-intermediate B2: logical fallacies, auction, discussion, group work

EAP Critical Thinking Game - Reading and Speaking: Identifying, Discussion, Giving Reasons - Group Work

In this entertaining logical fallacy game, students bid on arguments presented in an academic context and earn points by correctly identifying and explaining the logical fallacies they contain. Each team...

EAP Critical Thinking Game - Reading and Speaking: Identifying, Discussion, Giving Reasons, Communicative Practice - Group Work In this entertaining logical fallacy game, students bid on arguments presented in an academic context and earn points by correctly identifying and explaining the logical fallacies they contain. Each team receives $100 in play money and a reference sheet explaining common fallacies like Appeal to Emotion, Ad Hominem, and Straw Man arguments. The teacher acts as an auctioneer, presenting each argument for bidding starting at $5, with teams strategically deciding which arguments to purchase based on their confidence in identifying the underlying fallacy. After all arguments have been sold, teams take turns identifying and explaining the fallacy in each argument they purchased, earning one point for each correct answer. If a team incorrectly identifies their fallacy, other teams can challenge and steal the point by providing the correct answer. The team that scores the most points by correctly identifying fallacies wins the game.
Exclusive PDF Online

Logical Fallacy Bingo

Upper-intermediate (B2) 25 minutes
EAP Critical Thinking Game preview for Upper-intermediate B2: bingo, identifying, explaining, group work

EAP Critical Thinking Game - Listening and Speaking Game: Bingo, Identifying, Explaining, Communicative Practice - Group Work

In this intriguing critical thinking game, students play bingo by identifying and explaining common logical fallacies in arguments. In groups, the...

EAP Critical Thinking Game - Listening and Speaking Game: Bingo, Identifying, Explaining, Communicative Practice - Group Work In this intriguing critical thinking game, students play bingo by identifying and explaining common logical fallacies in arguments. In groups, the bingo caller reads a scenario that contains a logical fallacy from the caller's sheet. The players listen and look at the logical fallacies on their bingo cards to see if they have a fallacy that matches the scenario. If they do, they cross it off. When a player has crossed off three fallacies in a row, they shout 'Bingo!' and read the logical fallacies they crossed off. If the logical fallacies match the scenarios ticked on the caller's sheet, the caller reads each scenario again, and the player explains the logical fallacy. If the player is unable to explain the fallacies, the game continues. If the player can, they win the round. Players then continue to see who can cross off all nine logical fallacies. Groups play several rounds, with students taking turns being the bingo caller and players using a different bingo card each time.
Exclusive PDF Online

Logical Fallacy Detectives

Upper-intermediate (B2) 30 minutes
EAP Critical Thinking Game preview for Upper-intermediate B2: logical fallacy scenarios, discussion, group work

EAP Critical Thinking Game - Reading and Speaking: Identifying, Discussion, Giving Reasons, Communicative Practice - Group Work

This engaging critical thinking game helps students practice identifying and explaining logical fallacies in arguments. In groups, students read a logical fallacy...

EAP Critical Thinking Game - Reading and Speaking: Identifying, Discussion, Giving Reasons, Communicative Practice - Group Work This engaging critical thinking game helps students practice identifying and explaining logical fallacies in arguments. In groups, students read a logical fallacy cheat sheet and then turn over one card at a time, read the scenario aloud and discuss if it contains a logical fallacy, focusing on how the scenario demonstrates or fails to demonstrate a logical fallacy. If a fallacy is present, students underline the text that contains the fallacy and write the type of fallacy on the card. If not, students write 'no fallacy'. Afterwards, go through the scenarios with the class and elicit answers and reasons from each group. When all the groups have given their responses, reveal the correct answer. For each correct answer, groups score one point. The group with the most points at the end of the game wins. Finally, lead a brief class discussion on how identifying logical fallacies strengthens critical thinking, emphasising its impact on analytical reasoning, decision-making, and argument formation.
Exclusive PDF Online

Understanding Critical Thinking

Critical thinking involves examining claims, evidence and reasoning before reaching a judgement. In academic work, it helps students explain why a conclusion is justified, recognise limitations and reconsider an interpretation when better evidence becomes available.

This page contains nine resources from intermediate (B1) to upper-intermediate (B2), including one free worksheet. The materials cover evidence reliability, fact and opinion, logical fallacies, bias, academic scenarios and reasoned discussion.

Use the questions below to make the thinking process explicit. Students should explain their answers rather than simply attach a label to a statement or source.

FocusQuestion to askPractical check
Claims What exactly is being asserted? Restate the claim clearly, including its scope and any qualifying words.
Evidence What supports this claim? Check whether the evidence is relevant, reliable and sufficient for the conclusion.
Fact and opinion Can this statement be checked, or does it express a judgement? Verify factual claims and examine the reasons supporting opinions. A factual-sounding statement is not automatically true.
Assumptions What is being taken for granted? Identify an unstated belief the argument needs in order to work.
Bias How might selection or wording shape the account? Compare perspectives, supporting information and omissions before drawing conclusions.
Reasoning Does the conclusion follow? Explain the connection between the reasons and the conclusion, and consider plausible alternatives.

How to Develop Critical Thinking

Make reasoning visible: Ask students to identify a claim, point to supporting information and explain the connection. Provide language such as 'This supports the claim because...' so limited confidence in English does not prevent them from expressing their reasoning.

Separate evaluation from agreement: Students may agree with a conclusion while finding its supporting argument weak. Ask them to assess the reasons given before sharing their own position, and encourage respectful questions about the argument rather than the person presenting it.

Allow uncertainty and revision: Invite students to say what remains unknown and what evidence could change their view. Critical thinking does not require rejecting every claim; it requires a judgement proportionate to the available information.

3-Step Framework for Teaching Critical Thinking

Across lessons, begin with explaining an interpretation, then examine flawed reasoning and evaluate how sources present an issue. Review the language and concepts needed at each stage, adapting the intermediate and upper-intermediate materials to the class.

1. Explain an interpretation: Students read about critical thinking and examine a detective case study. In pairs, they discuss fictional case notes, write a paragraph explaining what they think happened and share their reasoning. Ask them to distinguish the information supplied from the inferences they have made.

2. Identify and improve flawed reasoning: Students match examples with logical fallacies and locate problems in debate openings. They then rewrite one opening to strengthen its reasoning and exchange feedback. Require an explanation of the flaw and the revision, rather than treating a fallacy label as a complete answer.

3. Evaluate contrasting sources: Students compare news excerpts about the same event and analyse an academic extract. They then find two articles on a chosen topic, record their assessment using a bias checklist and present their findings. Discuss how specific evidence supports their evaluation and what limitations remain.

Common Mistakes with Critical Thinking

Treating a fallacy as proof that the conclusion is false: A flawed argument does not settle whether its conclusion is true. Faulty inference: 'That argument attacks the speaker, so its conclusion must be false.' Better reasoning: 'The personal attack does not support the conclusion. We need to assess the conclusion using relevant evidence.'

Confusing disagreement with bias: A source taking a different position is not enough to establish bias. Unsupported judgement: 'This article disagrees with me, so it is biased.' Better approach: Examine its wording, evidence selection, omissions and treatment of other perspectives, then explain any specific signs of bias.

Common Questions About Teaching Critical Thinking

What discussion activity helps students practice critical thinking?

The activity Critical Analysis Challenge uses academic scenarios to prompt discussion about sources, bias, research claims and arguments. Pairs consider questions on each card, then share a selected scenario with another pair. Reporting their discussion and considering how to apply the skills connects the activity with students' wider academic work.

What game helps students evaluate evidence?

The game Evidence Detectives asks teams to match evidence cards to claims and rank the evidence by reliability. Students record reasons for their rankings before exchanging work for marking. Points reward accurate matches and ordering, while an optional presentation lets students explain why they consider some evidence stronger than others.

What free worksheet helps teach fact and opinion?

The worksheet Fact vs. Opinion introduces the distinction through reading, questions and partner discussion. Students examine statements, categorise signal phrases and analyse opinions presented as facts. They then share a rewritten statement with a partner, who identifies its type and explains the decision, making the reasoning part of the task.

Become a Teach This Member

Get unlimited access to the full library, plus new resources added every week.

Unlimited Resource Access

Download from 3000+ worksheets, activities, and games.

Save 5+ Hours Weekly

Cut lesson prep time with ready-to-use resources, plus teacher notes and answer keys.

Trusted Professional Quality

Classroom-tested, editable resources created by experienced ESL professionals.

Fresh Content Weekly

Get 5 new resources added to the library each week.

Join Now Just $29.99 quarterly

Here's what our members are saying...

Jose Pinto

ESL Teacher, Timor-Leste

"There are a lot of resources that are useful for teaching English. I downloaded the games which are handy and use them in my classes. With the games, my students never skip class or feel tired to learn English. The resources for teaching English helped my students progress in grammar, vocabulary, writing and comprehension. They also helped me a lot to guide my students to learn in a practical way."

★★★★★

Julia Lohla

English Instructor, United States

"Thank you for providing these incredible resources. Teach-This.com is always my go-to site for class activities, and I recommend it often. I love how it is organized. I can find resources for a specific grammar concept or language function by level and type of activity. Every time I visit your site, I discover a new classroom interaction strategy that's perfect for teaching the concept I'm focusing on! When I return after the holidays, yours will be the first subscription I restart."

★★★★★

Carrie Brooke-Mellor

ESOL Teacher, United Kingdom

"I am an ESOL teacher, and the resources have helped my classes enormously. In particular, the speaking activities were a great help for my intermediate students before their exam. The website is user-friendly, and I will continue to utilise the resources - next term is reading and comprehension, so I will be looking for more resources from you. Thank you for such helpful activities and worksheets. They save me a lot of time in class preparation."

★★★★★

Charlie Sanders

ESL Teacher, France

"Teach This is an absolutely brilliant website, offering a vast amount of high-quality content, much of it free. Everyone involved in its creation deserves commendation. The leadership's vision has my deepest respect and gratitude. It's undoubtedly the best resource for English teachers, with its clear layout, easy navigation, concise messaging, and lack of invasive advertising - rare qualities that Teach This has perfected."

★★★★★

Joy Tebow

English Teacher, Laos

"When I need to add or change an activity from my school's curriculum, I always turn to TeachThis. While our curriculum is usually very good, it sometimes doesn't fit well with my students. With TeachThis, I can easily find activities that match my topic and level, and the resources make my classes more interesting and varied. I look forward to the monthly newsletter and exploring new materials for inspiration. Please keep it up!"

★★★★★

Mina Zolfaghari

English Tutor, Australia

"I like the efficiency and organization of the website. The resources cater to various levels with topic-based options for higher levels. The worksheets are very engaging and the answer keys are particularly helpful for teacher. The resources are also highly specific to levels and outcomes, making planning much easier. Finding what I need is simple and time-saving with the keyword search feature. Everything is clear and straightforward."

★★★★★

Karin Kiss

ESL Teacher, Switzerland

"The easy and ready-to-go materials have helped me a lot during the last few years. Most of all I like the grammar games that activate my pupils and keep them engaged. My lessons have become way more playful and varied. Additionally, I like the grammar worksheets which I use to consolidate what I have worked on during class. The website is very user-friendly, and I have never had any difficulties finding what I was looking for."

★★★★★

David-Wonbae Lee

Business English Teacher, Canada

"A friend told me about the site, and it's awesome. I have found the Business English resources especially engaging and relevant for my students as the materials help them understand business writing and terms. My teaching experience has also improved from using the games on the site as they allow me to teach in a fun way. The user experience is outstanding. Great job!"

★★★★★

Daniela Garcia

English Teacher, Mexico

"I found Teach-This a long time ago when I started teaching. It's always had great resources. I really appreciate the grammar materials, board games, and group activities. They've saved me lots of time on lesson planning. The materials are easy to use and understand, making my job much simpler. The best thing is that many resources can be downloaded for free. I've used it for around 8 years, and it consistently offers great content."

★★★★★

Thomas Wilson

Primary School Teacher, United Kingdom

"I use the resources from the Games Section as part of my daily 30-minute morning warm-up activities, and I've received rave reviews for using them. The games help me maintain student interest and participation and leave the students feeling happy and awake. I like everything about the site, and customer support is very effective as they respond in time."

★★★★★

Eugenia Fernandez

EFL Teacher, Argentina

"Teach-This is one of the best EFL websites I've found. It's extremely user-friendly, and I always find what I need quickly. I like the design, and the content is fun, engaging and original. I am very thankful for all your work and generosity by making some resources free. I always recommend this website to my fellow teachers. Your work is really helpful, and I value it enormously."

★★★★★

Jakub Havlk

Language School Teacher, Czechia

"I like the grammar-focused resources the most as they save me time. The resources also inspire me. If I see an interesting grammar activity, I often rework it for other grammar rules. I like the fact that I simply pay a flat fee, and I can download whatever I want. Teach-This really is a great timesaver. I know that if I am in need of resources for my students, I can go to Teach-This and find something interesting."

★★★★★

Alice Dimpz

English Teacher, Kenya

"Getting familiar with the site and how to use the resources is not difficult. I found the writing skills resources to be the most valuable as they have enhanced my teaching of this skill. The website is elaborate and full of all types of resources to help me teach English. When I contacted customer support, they were super-fast to deal with my enquiry. So overall, I recommend it."

★★★★★

Ikrram Badaoui

ESL Teacher, Morocco

"I have found the grammar and vocabulary resources the most valuable. They have improved my teaching experience because they are easy to use and well-organized. The materials are very engaging for my students. The website is also very user-friendly. The best thing about Teach-This is that it offers ready-made worksheets for busy teachers, and the content is well-organized and full of information."

★★★★★

Tania Ahmed

High School Teacher, Kurdistan

"I'm really glad I found the Teach-This website. The materials in the General English section have proven to be really helpful and made my classes more engaging. The materials are well-structured and cover a wide range of topics, making it easy to keep my students interested and motivated. Overall, my experience using your resources has been great."

★★★★★

Khawla Orq

EFL Teacher, Yemen

"My first impression of the website was that it was amazing. The games and activities have really improved my teaching. The resources are engaging and relevant to my students' needs, and I find the website easy to use and navigate. Thanks."

★★★★★

Anika Yadav

English Teacher, India

"I would like to thank you for making a fantastic website. I particularly enjoy teaching the functional language materials, which have been very helpful in my classes. The resources have significantly improved my students' communication skills in daily life, so it was rewarding to see them benefit in this way. It feels great to be able to make a difference in my students' lives. Please keep up the good work."

★★★★★

Dr. Elena Petrov

Academic English Coordinator, Spain

"I've been teaching Academic English for over eight years, and Teach-This.com has become my go-to resource for university preparation classes. The academic vocabulary exercises and speaking test preparation activities are exceptionally well-designed for advanced learners. My students particularly appreciate the study skills resources and paragraph writing materials, which have significantly boosted their confidence and exam scores."

★★★★★

Suzanne Coleman

Volunteer English Teacher, England

"I like your resources because they are so interesting and attractive. Your resources help to maintain student interest. Your resources have helped with the planning and preparation of my lessons because I have often been able to find resources focusing on specific topics, grammar or vocabulary. I am particularly grateful for your free resources, which I use at the English Club where I am a volunteer and help to support internationals in the community who are learning English."

★★★★★