إعداد وحدات دراسية في مهارتي الكلام والقراءة لمنتسبي الجيش الماليزي : برنامج مقترح

Abstract

The non-native learners of Arabic have varied reasons for their motivation to learn the language. These include occupations as some jobs would require the person to know Arabic. In Malaysia, there are a number of factors that create the need for Arabic learning within the Malaysian Armed Forces. This study aims at examining the principles for developing suitable syllabi to address the speaking and reading skills of the Arabic learners within the Malaysian Armed Forces and identifying their specific needs in connection with the two domains. The study also comes up with a proposal for a curriculum to teach the relevant Arabic speaking and reading skills to the Malaysian Armed Forces. To complete the research, data was collected through questionnaire responses provided by Arabic learners in the Malaysian Armed Forces. The number of respondents was sixty troops and military officers of various ranks from the military bases in Kuala Lumpur. The number of proposed units for speaking is three and for reading, five. The study uses the descriptive and analytical methods, with the responses from the questionnaire analysed through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study concluded that theoretically, both reading and speaking skills are critical components that require a good grasp from the learners in order to meet their needs in learning the two skills as Malaysian Armed Forces personnel. The developed curriculum is in line with this as it caters for everyday communication and provides the necessary steps to meet the requirements of official duties and to speak fluently whilst discharging those duties. A large percentage of the respondents agree that the curriculum is suitable for troops from any military rank to bring their knowledge and proficiency in the Arabic language to a higher level. They agree that it makes it easier for them to read Arabic books and newspapers, and understand Arabic programmes. In addition, they feel that the curriculum is suitable for use in specific military services whilst it can also be used for informal teaching in mosques, given that it includes elements that can help enhance the practice of daily worship and the love of reciting the Holy Qur’an. Furthermore, the respondents attest that the curriculum could help military personnel in carrying out their assignments in the Arab countries and facilitate their understanding of the news related to Malaysia and the Arab countries that have bilateral relations with her. They also indicate that it is important to use Arabic when dealing with officers and employees from the Arab countries who are based in Malaysia, and it follows that the curriculum must include sufficient contents that will cater for this need in handling official duties.