Title:
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Language learning strategies used by learners of Arabic as a foreign language in the sultanate of Oman
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The main purpose of this study was to explore the language learning strategies (LLSs)
used by 19 Arabic language learners, learning Arabic in Oman. It also aimed to
investigate the difficulties experienced by these students in learning Arabic in the
Omani context and the strategies they used to deal with these difficulties.
An interpretive approach was adopted for the study, using in-depth interviewing,
classroom observation, and students' diaries. Additionally, to enhance the data collected
by the main methods, informal interviews with two Arabic teachers and the director of
the programme were conducted.
The analysis of the data generated 34 strategies which reflected the participants' use of
these strategies within their social context. It has also found that the strategies could not
be categorised into one universal broad type as most of them had characteristics of more
than one type. Therefore, the way they are grouped in this study is mainly influenced by
the way they were used by these students to achieve a specific purpose. It has also found
that the strategies reported by these students and the way they were used were
influenced by different factors such as the wider social context, the classroom learning
environment, the teachers, the characteristics of Arabic, and finally their personal
competence. Major differences were also found between these learners in the chosen
strategies and the way they were applied to enhance their learning and to solve their
difficulties.
The data analysis indicated four types of linguistic difficulties related to the four
language skills (listening, speaking, reading and writing). The data showed that these
four types of difficulties were attributed to different factors discussed in detail in
Chapter Seven.
Additionally, the findings showed that the Omani social context has an impact on these
learners of Arabic. This mainly resulted from cultural differences between these
participants and the Omanis. Specifically, it was found that these differences are
associated with various policies applied in their own countries and the Omani society
regarding the attention given for promoting the local language for non-native speakers.
Also, the differences related to the academic system including the role of the teacher,
the availability of resources and learning materials and finally the evaluation system in
the schools were reported to affect the learning of these students. Finally, the
differences related to the life style, customs and values of these students and the Omanis
were found to affect their interaction with the Omani society.
The data indicated that in dealing with the linguistic difficulties and cultural conflicts,
these learners applied a variety of strategies. The findings have also showed that there is
a great deal of similarity between the strategies students used in language learning and
those they used for overcoming learning difficulties.
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