#129: How Thinking Routines Shape Cultures of Thinking: An Exploratory Cross-Case Study in EFL Higher Education

This exploratory cross-case study examines how thinking routines cultivate a culture of thinking across two university EFL courses—Critical Reading and Movies discussion. Data included students’ written reflections, classroom observations, and focus-group interviews. Thematic analysis results identified four cultural elements: (1) teacher guidance and emotional support, (2) peer interaction and a supportive ethos, (3) structured routines fostering thinking, and (4) confidence and comfort in expression, which pointed to the need for both cognitive scaffolding and cultural mediation in EFL higher education.