Arabic Language Impact on EFL Learners’ Speaking Competence: The Case of Algerian First Year Bachelor Students at Kasdi Merbah University-Ouargla

Abstract

The present paper examines the impact of Arabic language on EFL learners (Algerian) speaking competence. Arab students encounter numerous obstacles in developing their L2 speaking skills. Their limited exposure to English, both in and out of the classroom, impedes their ability to achieve fluency and proficiency in speaking. In the Algerian case, students’ background of learning foreign languages is affected by both their standard Arabic and various local dialects that differ completely from one region to another. In this regard, serious linguistic obstacles may exist due to differences between Arabic and English morphology, phonology, syntax, and orthography so that the teaching process would not be an easy task, especially for beginners. In the light of this, the current study raises the problem of how Arabic language can affect EFL learners’ speaking competency. It aims at highlighting their common errors, raising the Algerian (Arab) students’ consciousness about the impact of their Arabic background on their fluency in English, and developing their competence of speaking through detecting the appropriate methods and techniques of addressing the challenges and difficulties of communicating in the target language. A descriptive type of research was followed via attending and observing sessions of oral expression with first year students (a group of 37 learners) at the University of Kasdi Merbah in Ouargla-Algeria. Via adopting a quantitative approach, a questionnaire was administered to 150 students from the same level to assess their speaking competence and common errors sources. The findings indicate that the Algerian learners’ Arabic background reduces their fluency in English as a result of linguistic, phonological, syntactic, and cultural differences.

Keywords

• Speaking
• Algerian Arab learners
• EFL
• Speaking competence
• Arabic bavckground

Arapça Dilinin Yabancı Dil Öğrencilerinin Konuşma Yetkinliği Üzerindeki Etkisi: Kasdi Merbah Üniversitesi-Ouargla'daki Cezayirli Birinci Yıl Lisans Öğrencileri Örneği

Abstract

Bu makale Arapça dilinin İngilizce yabancı dil öğrenenlerin (Cezayir) konuşma yeterliliği üzerindeki etkisini incelemektedir. Arap öğrenciler ikinci dil konuşma becerilerini geliştirmede çok sayıda engelle karşılaşıyor. Hem sınıf içinde hem de sınıf dışında İngilizceye sınırlı maruz kalmaları, konuşmada akıcılık ve yeterlilik kazanma yeteneklerini engellemektedir. Cezayir örneğinde, öğrencilerin yabancı dil öğrenme geçmişi hem standart Arapça'dan hem de Cezayir'de bir bölgeden diğerine tamamen farklılık gösteren çeşitli yerel lehçelerden etkilenmektedir. Bu bakımdan Arapça ve İngilizce arasındaki morfoloji, ses bilgisi, sözdizimi ve imla farklılıkları nedeniyle ciddi dilsel engeller mevcut olabilir ve bu nedenle öğretim süreci özellikle yeni başlayanlar için kolay bir iş olmayacaktır. Bunun ışığında, mevcut çalışma Arapça dilinin İngilizce öğrenenlerin konuşma yeterliliğini nasıl etkileyebileceği sorununu gündeme getiriyor. Ortak hatalarını vurgulamayı, Cezayirli (Arap) öğrencilerin Arapça geçmişlerinin İngilizce akıcılıkları üzerindeki etkisi konusunda bilinçlerini yükseltmeyi ve İngilizcedeki zorluklara ve zorluklara değinmek için uygun yöntem ve teknikleri tespit ederek konuşma yeterlilikleri geliştirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Hedef dilde iletişim kurmak. Betimleyici bir araştırma, Ouargla-Cezayir'deki Kasdi Merbah Üniversitesi'ndeki birinci sınıf öğrencileriyle (37 öğrenciden oluşan bir grup) sözlü anlatım oturumlarına katılarak ve gözlemleyerek takip edildi. Nicel bir yaklaşım benimsendi, aynı seviyedeki 150 öğrenciye konuşma yeterliliklerini ve yaygın hata kaynaklarını değerlendirmek için bir anket uygulandı. Bulgular, Cezayirli öğrencilerin Arapça geçmişinin, dilsel, fonolojik, sözdizimsel ve kültürel farklılıkların bir sonucu olarak İngilizce akıcılıklarını azalttığını göstermektedir.

Keywords

• Konusma
• Cazayirli Arap ogrenciler
• Ingilizce yabanci dil
• Konusma yeterliligi
• Arapca gecmisi

References

1. Abu-Faraj, B., and Ali, S. (2015). The Impact of Arabic Language on Producing Fragments. European Scientific Journal, 11(29), 153-170.
2. Adil, M. (2020). Exploring the Role of Translation in Communicative Language Teaching or the Communicative Approach. SAGE Open, 10(2), 1-10.
3. Al-Hassaani, A. M. A., and Al-Saalmi, A.F.M.Q. (2022). Saudi EFL Learners' Speaking Skills: Status, Challenges, and Solutions. Arab World English Journal, 13(2), 328-337.
4. Ali, J.K., Shamsan, M.A., Guduru, R., and Yemmela, N. (June 2019). Attitudes of Saudi EFL Learners towards Speaking Skills. Arab World English Journal, 10(2), 253-364.
5. Alkhafeel, N.A., and Elkholy, A. R. (2022). The Influence of the First Language (Arabic) on Learning English as a Second Language. Teaching and Linguistic Issues. American Research Journal of Humanities & Social Science (ARJHSS), 5(4), 33-42.
6. Al-Khatib, H., Abdel Malak, M., Ralph Sleiman, R., and Zadorian, H. (n.d). Difficulties that Arab Students Face in Learning English. 14.12.2023, https://www.academia.edu/2111656/Difficulties_that_Arab_Students_Face_in_Learning_English_Research_Project
7. Alsiyat, F.M. (2021). Speaking Challenges of Saudi EFL Learners. International Journal of Social Science and Human Research, 4(12), 3676-3681.
8. Al-Sobhi, B. M. S., and Preece, A.S. (2018). Teaching English Speaking Skills to the Arab Students in the Saudi School in Kuala Lumpur: Problems and Solutions. International Journal of Education & Literacy Studies, 6(1), 1-11.

9. Altheneyan, A., and Boayrid, N.F. (2019). Writing Errors among Arab EFL Learners: A Review of Literature. International Journal of Linguistics, 11(5), 319-329.
10. Alvarez, V.J.A., Amanti, C., Keyl, S., and Mackinney, E. (2016). Critical Views on Teaching and Learning English Around the Globe: Qualitative Research Approaches. USA: Information Age Publishing Inc.
11. Alzamil, A. (2019). The Effects of the Use of First Language on Learning English as a Second Language: Attitudes of Arabic EFL Learners. Arab World English Journal, 10(3), 192-201.
12. Bahruddina, U., Ramadhanb, M.F., and Bahruddinc, W. (2021). Improvement of Speaking Skills Through the Use of Arabic as an Introduction Language. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education, 12(8), 2760-2768.
13. Che Haron, S., Ahmed, I.H., Mamat, A., Wan Ahmad, W.R., and Rawash, F. M. M. (2016). Challenges in Learning to Speak Arabic. Journal of Education and Practice, 7(24), 80-85.
14. El-Dakhs, D.A.S, Alhaqbani, J.N., and Mardini, L. (2023). How do Saudi EFL Learners Realize the Speech Act of Request?. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 10, 1-25.
15. Elshahawy, K.E.M., (2021). The Impact of Proficiency in First Language on Mastering English for Saudi EFL Students. Journal of Applied Linguistics and Language Research, 8(1), 107-125.
16. Folse, K.S., (2017). The Art of Speaking English: Research and Pedagogy for ESL/EFL classroom. USA: The University of Michigan Press.
17. Fareh, .S., Abu Guba, M.N., Hamadi, I., Awad, A., and Fareh, A. (2023). Assessing the pragmatic competence of Arab learners of English: The case of apology. Cogent Arts & Humanities, 10(1), 1-14.
18. Goh, C.C.M. and Burns, A. (2012). Teaching Speaking: a Holistic Approach. New York: Cambridge University Press.
19. Khasawneh, N. A. S., and Khasawneh, M. S. (2022). Linguistic Needs of Non-Native Students of Arabic Language at Saudi Universities. International Journal of Language Education. 6(3), 245-253.
20. Lou, A.R. (2023). EFL Learners’ Speaking Performances and Challenges in CLT Classroom. Istanbul: Egitim Yahinevi.
21. Mukattash, L. (2023). Towards a New Methodology for Teaching English to Arab Learners (TEAL). International Journal ofArabic-English Studies (IJAES), 4, 211-234.
22. Nation, I.S.P., and Newton, J. (2009). Teaching ESL/EFL Listening and Speaking. New York: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group.
23. Rajab, H. (April 2013). Developing Speaking and Writing Skills of L1 Arabic EFL Learners through Teaching of IPA Phonetic Codes. Theory and Practice in Language Studies, 3(4), 653-659.
24. Renanday, W.A., and Widodo, H.P. (2016). English Language Teaching Today: Linking Theory and Practice. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.
25. Russak, S., and Zaretsky, E. (2021). Cognitive and Linguistic Skills Associated With Cross-Linguistic Transfer in the Production of Oral Narratives in English as a Foreign Language by Arabic- and Hebrew-Speaking Children: Finding Common Denominators. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1-19.
26. Shoro, S. (2018). Teaching and Learning English in Non-English-Speaking Countries. UK: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
27. Yaqub, M. T. (n.d). Developing Speaking Skill in Arabic Learners: a Proposal for Integration of Product and Process Approaches. European Scientific Journal, 8(29), 140-149.
28. Yaseen, A.A., Kemboja Ismail, K., and Yasin, M.S.M. (December 2018). Syntactic Errors in an Arab EFL Postgraduate Student’s Spoken English during a Thesis Supervision Session. Arab World English Journal, 9(4), 392- 406.
29. Zrekat, Y., and Al-Sohbani, Y. (2022). Arab EFL University learners’ perceptions of the factors hindering them to speak English fluently. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, 18(1), 775-790.