Speaking Skills: What Arabic Language Students Do in Simulation Activity?

Azman Che Mat,Nor Shaifura Musilehat,Ahmad Zulfadhli Nokman,Ahmad Fakrulazizi Abu Bakar,Norhayuza Mohamad

doi:10.13189/ujer.2020.081267

Abstract

Language skills, especially speaking skills, are necessary for mastering of a foreign language. Many strategies were applied in class setting to achieve the skills with several activities. Many researchers have suggested various activities to develop speaking skills for Arabic language. Among these activities are drama, role play, simulation etc. Each activity has different execution to meet the objective of language learning. This study aims to explore the strategies of Arabic language speaking skills among students through paired simulation activities. The qualitative approach is fully utilized through journal notes and observation check list. Four Arabic lecturers were involved in journal notes relating to their observations of strategies used by students in general. Meanwhile, a total of 12 respondents were selected by observing their simulation performances, especially in terms of language items. Then descriptive analysis was carried out to stipulate the data with the concentration on learning strategies for speaking skills of the students and language performance regarding the use of speaking Arabic during simulation activity. This study generally found that Arabic language learners practice speaking skills with the support of other strategies such as memory, writing and reading strategies. Meanwhile linguistics items produced by respondents in the activity have common errors including lexical choice, grammatical structure and morphological aspect. In the nutshell, simulation activity has significantly affected on students learning strategy and provides essential information for Arabic language lecturers to assist their students in improving their language performance especially speaking skills.

Highlights

Speaking skills are one of the most important language skills
This study has successfully identified some important factors that help Arabic language learners and students to improve their acquisition of Arabic through simulation activities
First and foremost, according to the lecturer’s notes, there are three strategies that are important for students to master speaking skills in Arabic, namely, memorization, writing and reading strategies

Summary

Introduction

Speaking skills are one of the most important language skills. Studies on speaking skills are known as oral approaches that emphasize the ability to speak a language. This speaking approach continues to evolve with the emergence of communicative approaches that emphasize oral skills in language learning [10]. One of the suggested activities in the communicative approach is simulation activities. Wan Hasmah Wan Mamat and Nur Munirah Teoh Abdullah [16] asserted that simulation games help teachers and students to interact as well as enliven the learning environment. In countries like China and Japan, language teachers encourage students to participate in, for example role plays, etc. In Malaysia, the familiar practice was carried out in foreign language

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Conclusion