The Social and Cultural Implications of the Educational Program for Students of Sultan Qaboos College for Teaching Arabic Language to Non- Native Speakers" (Descriptive Study)

Abstract

The Social and Cultural Implications of the Educational Program for Students of Sultan Qaboos College for Teaching Arabic Language to Non- Native Speakers" (Descriptive Study) Dr. Hamood Bin Khamis Bin Hamad Al-Nofali Abstract Studying Arabic Language and disseminating it among non-Arabic speaking countries is considered as a basic tool for the dissemination of Islamic values, and important for understanding the Holy Koran and the Prophet's Sunnahin mother language. The Arabic Language has a spiritual power with which Islam can be fully understood beyond the translation of Koran into other languages that make us lose the spiritual effect of Koran on soul. God, Glory be to Him, said:"We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an, in order that ye may learn wisdom" (Yusuf-2). Accordingly, this study sheds light on the importance of using the implications of educational programs for teaching the non-Arabic speaking people. This is to alter the typical view generated in peoples of these countries and presenting a positive picture expressing the reality of the cultural, scientific, value, ethical heritage that was produced by Arabic Language throughout eras. This study has attempted to identify the social and cultural implications achieved by an educational program held in the faculty of Sultan Qaboos for non-Arabic speaking people. The study tried to identify the implications and topics though which students are taught the Arabic Language. It also identified the cultural and social activities in which the students are involved during their study in the faculty. It also attempts to identify the students' impression about what the students received about the social life in the Sultanate for two months. Hence, the study has listed the suggestions necessary for the development of this program to achieve the full benefits of recognizing the cultural and social heritage of the Omani society. The study used the descriptive analytical typology and was based on the methodology of analyzing the content of the educational program and the cultural program to which learners are subjecting during their study period in the faculty. For the fields of the study, the human scope was represented in interviewing professors, supervisors, and officials in the faculty, beside, the analysis of the content of students' reports about their impressions about the program. For the location of the study, the study was limited to the faculty of Sultan Qaboos for Teaching the Non-Arabic Speaking Students. The study duration was two months. The study used an interview guide to applied to specialists, and another guide for recording the impressions of students about the program and about the social environment in which they lived during their study period of time. The following are the major findings reached by the study: The program of the faculty has not been limited to the general objective, i.e., teaching Arabic Language, but it obviously focuses on the achievement of other objectives as the students' knowledge of culture and customs of the Omani society and linking them to other topics related to Arab and Islamic World. The study concluded a set of recommendations. The following are the important ones: The researcher recommends that it is important for the faculty to write a book and designing a form to be filled in by each student immediately after coming to The Sultanate of Oman to know the previous impressions about the Omani and Islamic society. This is to design a plan for correcting the negative impressions. Another recommendation by the research was to provide the university residence with playgrounds and sports halls for both sexes, and to let community members participate in playing with students. The researcher recommends also that a permanent exhibition should be placed in the faculty to show the heritage, thought, habits, and customs consistent with the values of the society and Islam. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jssw.v3n2a5