[PARTICIPANTS’ PERSPECTIVES ON THE ARABIC WATAN PROGRAM WITHIN AN EDUTAINMENT-BASED LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN ENCOURAGING NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS TO SPEAK ARABIC] وجهات نظر المشاركين في برنامجWATAN العربي وفق بيئة التعلم الرائع تجاه تشجيع الناطقين بغير العربية على الكلام باللغة العربية
Abstract
Abstract
Various out-of-class educational initiatives have emerged in Malaysia to address challenges related to Arabic speaking skills among non-native speakers, including the WATAN Arabic Program, which is based on an edutainment learning environment. This study aims to analyse participants’ perceptions of the edutainment elements implemented in the program in enriching Arabic vocabulary and to examine their views on the program’s role in encouraging Arabic oral communication. A descriptive quantitative survey design was employed at SMA Daeratul Maarifil Wataniah, Pulau Pinang, involving 50 Form Three students. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. The findings revealed highly positive perceptions of the program’s edutainment environment in supporting vocabulary acquisition, with a mean score of 4.69 (SD = 0.52). Participants also reported very positive perceptions regarding the program’s role in encouraging Arabic speaking, with a mean score of 4.54 (SD = 0.63).These results suggest that the WATAN Program provides a supportive learning environment that enhances vocabulary development, confidence, and participation in oral communication.The novelty of this study lies in examining WATAN as an applied edutainment model for teaching Arabic to non-native speakers through participants’ perspectives. Its contribution to West Asian Studies lies in highlighting the role of Arabic beyond its native context and demonstrating how interactive educational programs can strengthen its function as a language of communication and knowledge in non-Arab settings.
Keywords: WATAN Program; Edutainment Learning; Speaking Skill; Encouraging Non-Native Arabic Speakers
ملخص البحث
ظهرت في ماليزيا مبادرات تعليمية متنوعة خارج الفصل الدراسي لمعالجة التحديات المرتبطة بالتحدث باللغة العربية لدى الناطقين بغيرها، ومن أبرزها برنامج WATAN العربي القائم على بيئة التعلم الرائع. وتهدف هذه الدراسة إلى تحليل وجهات نظر المشاركين حول عناصر هذه البيئة في إثراء المفردات العربية، واستكشاف تصوراتهم تجاه دور البرنامج في تشجيع التحدث باللغة العربية. اعتمدت الدراسة المنهج الكمي الوصفي التحليلي، وأُجريت في SMA Daeratul Maarifil Wataniah, Pulau Pinang، بمشاركة (50) طالبًا من الصف الثالث الثانوي، باستخدام استبانة قائمة على مقياس ليكرت الخماسي. أظهرت النتائج اتجاهات إيجابية مرتفعة نحو عناصر بيئة التعلم الرائع في دعم اكتساب المفردات، بمتوسط حسابي بلغ (4.69) وانحراف معياري (0.52)، كما كشفت عن تصورات إيجابية جدًا تجاه دور البرنامج في تشجيع التحدث باللغة العربية بمتوسط حسابي (4.54) وانحراف معياري (0.63). وتشير هذه النتائج إلى أن برنامج WATAN يوفر بيئة تعليمية محفزة تسهم في تنمية المفردات وتعزيز الثقة والمشاركة في التواصل الشفهي. وتتمثل أصالة الدراسة في تناولها برنامج WATAN بوصفه نموذجًا تطبيقيًا للتعلم الرائع في تعليم العربية للناطقين بغيرها من خلال تحليل تصورات المشاركين أنفسهم. كما تسهم في دراسات غرب آسيا بإبراز دور اللغة العربية خارج بيئتها الأصلية، وإظهار فاعلية البرامج التعليمية التفاعلية في تعزيز حضورها بوصفها لغةً للتواصل والمعرفة في السياقات غير العربية.
الكلمات المفتاحية: برنامج WATAN، التعلم الرائع، مهارة الكلام، تشجيع الناطقين بغير العربية.
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