PENYESUAIAN SPEKTRUM PENDIDIKAN BAHASA ARAB SEBAGAI BAHASA ASING PERINGKAT UNIVERSITI KETIKA COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19 has changed the education’s spectrum in Malaysia including Arabic language education specifically from the context of learning and language teaching approaches that are compatible with the current situation. Thus, this paper reports on the analysis of students' acceptance of online Arabic learning as well as the constraints faced by the students in the learning process. In addition, the instructors’ perspectives were also presented. This multi-case study uses a recorded virtual platform interview method and were transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis is used based on the obtained data. The participants have various backgrounds and they studied foreign language for two semesters namely Arabic I and Arabic II. The results of this study show that in the early phase of COVID-19, students are uncomfortable in learning Arabic language using online platform due to certain factors. Interestingly, the adaptation phase occurs when they begin to employ various approaches in order to adapt. Despite the nuances of the constraints that students face in the study, they put their effort to overcome the constraints. In this study, the Arabic language instructors also provided their views on this issue by emphasizing the adaptation aspect. This study has pedagogical implications in which students should strive to creatively use existing educational platforms. The Arabic language instructors too need to diversify approaches that attract students to stay focused on the learning process despite existing constraints.