Mukhtar Yahya and the Method of Teaching Arabic: The Analysis of Muhadasah Method in the Perspective of Behaviorism Theory

Abstract

This research aims to explore about Mukhtar Yahya and his thoughts on the method of Muhadasah in Arabic teaching and learning which was analyzed through behaviorism learning theory. This is a qualitative research using historical and psychological approaches. The historical approach is used since Mukhtar Yahya as the figure being discussed had passed away. While the psychological approach is used to analyze Muktar Yahya’s Muhadasah method. The results show that, first, Mukhtar Yahya was a figure who had a big role for the birth of the State Islamic College (PTAIN) and Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic Institute (IAIN). During his role in PTAIN and IAIN Sunan Kalijaga, Mukhtar Yahya held important positions; even he frequently took on double positions in IAIN. In his academic career, Mukhtar Yahya was a highly qualified intellectual in the fields of religion and Arabic language. His ability was influenced by his intellectual brilliance and accompanied by a high spirit in studying religion. Second, the psychological approach shows that the Mukhtar Yahya’s Muhadasah method was strongly influenced by behaviorism learning theory. Although Mukhtar Yahya did not state explicitly that his methods were influenced by behaviorism learning theory, the theory was highly visible in the learning steps. In this method, learning process will occur by the presence of stimulus which then produces learning responses from students.