Learning Arabic as a second language (ASL) in Arabic-speaking countries is yet to be investigated thoroughly. The present study examines 61 ASL learners from 25 countries in seven Saudi universities using a quantitative and qualitative questionnaire, with Ajzen's theory of planned behaviour used as a theoretical framework to elicit and analyze the…

Investigates three categories of politeness formulas in northern Omani Arabic under the headings of greeting and parting routines, congratulating, and condoling. (Author/VWL)

Investigates persuasion as a sociolinguistic phenomenon in Jordan. This study focuses on three main modes of persuasion and explores attitudes toward factors contributing to persuasion success. Devices such as the Quranic verses, the Traditions, wisdoms and proverbs, as well as trustworthiness, are crucial in influencing listener beliefs. (50…

Addresses the issue of swearing, in the sense of oath taking, as a very frequent speech act in daily conversations in Jordan. A corpus of oaths exchanged by interlocutors in real-life contexts is analyzed. Shows that swearing exhibits an extensive amount of variation in form, usage, and function. (Author/VWL)

This paper examines the negative impact the linguistic situation in the Arab world, which is characterized by diglossia, has on Arab children's ability to acquire reading and writing skills in Arabic and on their academic attainment in general. Discusses specific obstacles posed by contemporary diglossia to the acquisition of literacy, including…

Examines the national language question in Morocco and the Moroccan government's development of an elaborate multisector language policy, which has particular significance for the education system. The policy aims at promoting Arabic as the language of literacy and wider communication. The background and implications of this policy are discussed.…

Investigates writing skills in English (the second language) and Arabic (the native language) to see whether there is an association between poor writing across languages. Data were collected from 150 students who wrote on the same topic in English and Arabic. Confirms that poor writing in English correlates with similar deficiencies in Arabic.…

Studies the attitudes and achievements of immigrants from the Soviet Union studying at the tertiary level at Haifa University in Israel. A series of questionnaires probing the students' language use and attitudes were administered in order to provide a general description of their linguistic profile in first, second, and third languages. (15…

The attitudes of 100 Israeli-Jewish students toward learning Arabic and coexistence with Arabs within Israel were investigated, as was their evaluation of characters they read about in familiar and unfamiliar texts. The students were found to possess low instrumental and low indoors integrative motivation, but their army service motivation and…

Explores and illustrates the ways in which the Chechen language and culture are preserved in Jordan, despite a passage of almost 100 years since Chechen first arrived in the country. Examines the relationship between language maintenance and the non-linguistic processes that affect the outcome of the language situation. (Author/VWL)

Reports a study of listening problems encountered in the English-as-a-foreign-language classroom in the English for Specific Purposes Centre at Damascus University in Syria. Looks particularly at learner strategies, features of the listening text, characteristics of the speaker, attitudes of the listener, the task to be completed as a result of…

Reports on a large-scale investigation among Turkish and Moroccan children in Dutch primary schools. The focus is on these children's proficiency, respectively in Turkish and Arabic and Dutch. and on the development of skills in both languages. (26 references) (VWL)

Reports successful outcomes for a Teaching English as a Foreign Language module based on simultaneous oral translation from Arabic into English. Learners worked individually in a traditional language laboratory. Results show that simultaneous interpretation significantly improves learner performance and is an excellent tool for diagnosing learner…

Describes the program to restore the Adyghe language in the Republic of Adyghe, following its independence from the Soviet Union. The principal elements of the program include teacher training, development of course materials, and assessment procedures. The article concludes that as more emphasis is given to the Adyghe language, its status will…

Presents general background on the Israeli Circassians and focuses on a study of Circassian pupils in Kfar Kama, the larger of the two Circassian villages in Israel. This study confirms the solid self-identity and firmly entrenched position of the mother tongue among the Circassians of Israel. Additional study is planned. (35 references)…