Document Type
Contribution to Book
Source Publication
rabele 2012: Enseñanza y aprendizaje de la lengua árabe / Teaching and Learning the Arabic Language / تعليم وتعلّم اللغة العربية /
Link to Published Version
http://libros.um.es/editum/catalog/book/1311
Publication Date
7-28-2014
Editor
Victoria Aguilar, Miguel Ángel Manzano, Luis Miguel Pérez Cañada, Waleed Saleh, Paula Santillán Grimm
Publisher
Universidad de Murcia
City
Murcia
Volume
2
ISBN
13: 978-84-697-0762-3
First Page
81
Last Page
98
Department
Languages, Cultures & Linguistics
Description
This study investigates the developing attitudes of American university and college students toward learning Arabic as a Foreign Language. The primary goal of this examination is to shed light on the ways in which students' attitudes toward learning Arabic affect their motivation to learn the language, as well as their commitment to learning it. A secondary goal of this study is to reveal students' perceptions of the use of both Spoken and Standard Arabic in the classroom, and what effect their perceptions may have on their developing attitudes toward Arabic, and their motivation to learn the language and study its culture. A self-report questionnaire was utilized, which was divided into three parts. The first part was designed to obtain background information and information regarding the participants’ Arabic learning experience. The second part was developed to obtain attitudinal perceptions toward Arabic language varieties and Arabic culture, as well as participants' overall attitudes toward learning Arabic. This part of the questionnaire was designed to elicit information regarding the students’ attitudes prior to taking any Arabic classes, and their attitudes upon completion of at least one Arabic course. The findings revealed that a more positive perception toward learning Spoken Arabic was developed over the course of the Arabic language classes, however participants also reported less positive attitudes toward learning Modern Standard Arabic, along with a negative perception of the dominance of Modern Standard Arabic in the classroom. The findings also indicate that instrumental motivation is more important than any other type among students who continue in the program and take advanced Arabic.
Recommended Citation
Isleem, Martin, "Developing Attitudes toward Learning Arabic as a Foreign Language among American University and College Students" (2014). Faculty Contributions to Books. 112.
https://digitalcommons.bucknell.edu/fac_books/112
Included in
Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Near Eastern Languages and Societies Commons