What is considered the main objective of teaching critical reading skills?

The main objective of teaching critical reading skills is to enable students to analyze and evaluate texts. This involves helping learners develop the ability to think deeply about what they read, engage with various viewpoints, identify biases, and assess the value and credibility of the information presented. Critical reading goes beyond merely understanding the surface meaning of a text; it encourages students to dig deeper into the content, consider the author's intent, and draw connections to broader concepts and real-world situations.

Being able to critically read also empowers students to become more informed and discerning consumers of information, which is an essential skill in today's information-saturated society. This skill contributes significantly to overall literacy and communication, as it fosters a habit of questioning and reflecting, rather than passively absorbing information.

In contrast, memorizing texts, enhancing spelling proficiency, or improving handwriting skills focus on different aspects of literacy that do not directly equip students with the analytical skills necessary for comprehensively understanding and engaging with texts.