This blog has already considered the issue of 'critical thinking':
Jay Doubleyou: questioning and problem-solving
Jay Doubleyou: complexity
Jay Doubleyou: socratic method
Jay Doubleyou: socratic method pt 2
More specifically, EAP, or English for Academic Purposes, has critical thinking at its heart:
I agree that critical thinking (i.e. deeper questioning about learning and wider society, challenging assumption and status quo thinking) is something that cannot be directly taught – we can lay the groundwork in creating the right environment. But the term Critical Thinking has become quite empty of meaning in EAP as it is overused to signify…….something which is not defined but often boils down to arguing an essay in a UK academy style (as you rightly point out is not uniform anyway) which can be reproduced without really having any critical thought at all. If critical thinking is not something that all EAP teachers ‘do’ then indeed it is unlikely they will include it in their teaching repetoire.
20 Myths about EAP | Teaching EAP
Edward de Chazal has given some interesting seminars on the subject:
English for Academic Purposes – 7 Myths and Realities | Oxford University Press
Critical Thinking in the ELT Classroom | Oxford University Press
Teaching EAP: “We can’t do what we do at higher levels at lower levels” | Oxford University Press
Edward De Chazal | Oxford University Press
A book out last year:
Oxford EAP | Oxford University Press
Oxford EAP - Interview with Edward de Chazal - YouTube
And a conference on EAP recently:
BALEAP - The Global Forum for EAP Professionals
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