The language deficit: a comparison of the critical thinking skills of Asian students in first and second language contexts

Table 3 Mean ratings for constructive speeches of Japanese and English debates

Question	Japanese	English	Diff.	P value
Did the speakers clarify the significance and key terms of the debate?	3.08	2.17	+ 0.91
Did they produce a logical and coherent case?	4.46	2.88	+ 1.58
Did they support their arguments with sufficient evidence?	4.38	2.29	+ 2.09
Was their evidence based on reliable, identifiable sources?	4.38	3.12	+ 1.26
Did they explain their case clearly?	4.67	2.71	+ 1.96
TOTAL MEAN SCORE	4.19	2.63	+ 1.56	0.0032