The use of translation in the teaching and learning of arabic as a foreign language :students` perspective and practice

Abstract

For many centuries, translation has been considered as the main method in the teaching and learning of a foreign language. However, despite the results remarkable achieved, a debate has been raised over whether the use of the first language should be encouraged or deterred in a FL classroom. To this end, the present study was conducted at SEKOLAH SETIABUDI to shed the light on the perspectives of the Malaysian students on the use of translation in Arabic classroom. The purposes for which the students prefer using translation as a teaching and learning method have been revealed as well as the effect of students` gender, willingness to learn Arabic and the previous experience on their attitudes towards the use of translation. A total of 169 students comprising 103 males and 66 females were selected from both the lower secondary and upper secondary levels; all participants are Malaysians and were studying Arabic as a foreign language for academic purpose. Moreover, none of them had any experience studying in an Arabic speaking country. Data were collected using a quantitative method approach in which a set of questionnaire was utilized. The findings revealed that the Malaysian students hold positive perception on the use of Bahasa Melayu for several purposes in the AFL classroom. The results of this study will help teachers to understand why and in which contexts their students tend to use their first language instead of Arabic in the Arabic language classroom. Hence, stakeholders in charge of establishing the Arabic teaching programs can be better informed about the materials and methods that may help the students to improve their Arabic proficiency level.