The Difficulties of Teaching and Learning Arabic as a Second Language

Abstract

Learning a foreign language is not easy. This study aims to identify the difficulties of learning Arabic faced by foreign students. The study attempts to answer some questions about the attitudes of the non-native learners toward learning Arabic language, as well as the difficulties that the non-native learners face in learning Arabic and the reasons that cause these difficulties. To achieve the goals of the study, the present study interpreted the results of both students' and teachers' questionnaires. Theexamined sample includes100 students enrolled at private school in Sharjah (UAE).The results of the study show that the non-native learners of Arabic have positive attitudes towards Arabic culture. Furthermore, the results reveal that there are different difficulties to learn Arabic for non-Arab learner. There are also many reasons related to the language itself, curriculum and students environment. This study exemplifies how both students and teachers consider speaking and writing as the most difficult skills for non-Arabs.