DEVELOPING SPEAKING SKILL IN ARABIC LEARNERS: A PROPOSAL FOR INTEGRATION OF PRODUCT AND PROCESS APPROACHES

Abstract

This work examines the issues that concern Arabic language learning as a second language in Nigeria Universities. It looks at ways of encouraging and motivating Arabic learners and explores issue relating to Arabic speaking skill, course design and materials/task development among others. The paper proposes an integrative approach to Arabic speaking pedagogy. It provides a sample Arabic speaking lesson that is designed to illustrate some of the main points discussed while the practical ways of using the principles in the designing of teaching materials for speaking are presented. The work concludes that product and process oriented approaches are complimentary. Suggestions are made on ways in which the teachers can go about the task of helping the Arabic learners in Nigeria universities to develop the speaking skill through the application of a functional-discourse based approach which is an integration of the two approaches.