Student Attitudes in Learning Basic Arabic Language

Arabic language learning opportunities offered by most higher education institutions can be compulsory or elective courses depending on the demands of the university. When studied as an elective course, students will follow it with varying levels of effort based on their own wishes. This study is based on the measurement of student engagement who take basic Arabic as a foreign language course option at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Specifically, this study was conducted to understand student attitudes in learning Arabic courses. The objective of the study is to identify the attitudes possessed by students when they learn Arabic. In addition, the researcher also intends to classify student attitudes with the aim of knowing the student’s response. Each item in this aspect of the study will also be described by the researcher to be linked to the performance of student engagement. This study uses a quantitative method by involving 49 UKM students who registered for the SKVA 5013 Arabic Language 1 course as a Citra course. An online questionnaire method via Google Forms was used. The study data is the result of a questionnaire instrument adapted into a percentage format. Each learning attitude is assessed as a percentage whether practiced or not. The results of the study found that SKVA 5013 students practiced almost all of the suggested attitudes in question. They showed a positive attitude in learning in addition to implementing an attitude of practicing basic Arabic language skills that coincided with the course structure. Therefore, teachers and coordinators who plan Arabic language teaching at the level of higher education institutions are expected to be able to organize a more conducive academic environment and syllabus so as to successfully achieve all the desired learning goals and produce excellence from the students.