STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES TOWARDS USING SONGS IN LEARNING ARABIC AS A FOREIGN LANGUGAE

Abstract

Teachers and researchers agree that songs may serve as a valuable pedagogical tool in the teaching and learning of a foreign language. Songs motivate students and improvements have been seen in their achievements in learning a foreign language. Therefore, this study aims to investigate students’ perceptions, attitudes and thoughts regarding the use of songs in the Arabic classroom. A sample of 197 form three students from two different government secondary schools in Malaysia took part in the current study. The data were collected through a questionnaire and then analyzed quantitatively using simple descriptive statistical analysis consisting of frequencies and percentages. The findings demonstrated that students gave positive responses towards the use of songs in learning Arabic. Songs were regarded as an effective strategy that assisted students in learning Arabic and improved their performance in the subject. Based on the findings, this study suggests that songs should be used as a tool to increase the effectiveness of teaching and learning Arabic language.

Key words: Song, teaching and learning, Arabic classroom.