Improving Foundational Language Skills of Standard Arabic in Early Childhood by Using Language Immersion-Based Learning Enhanced with Art Activities

Abstract

The fundamental language skills acquired during early childhood play a pivotal role in a child's developmental progress in kindergarten and the initial stages of primary education. This study aimed to improve the foundational language proficiency in Standard Arabic among early childhood children by implementing a language immersion-based learning approach enriched with art activities. The experimental approach was used through a quasi-experimental design based on one group, with pre- and post-measurements. The study sample consisted of 30 first-grade primary school children aged 6-7 years. A comprehensive list of foundational linguistic skills in Standard Arabic essential for the study sample was compiled, the list included the skills of: phonological awareness, listening, standard speaking skills, and linguistic vocabulary. Educational content for art activities, including puppet theatre, dough modeling, and flat expression drawing, was suggested across 15 sessions. An oral test was administered to assess the children's foundational language skills in Standard Arabic. The results demonstrated statistically significant effectiveness in utilizing language immersion-based learning enhanced by art activities, the differences between the average scores of the children in the study sample in the pre- and post-measurements on the oral test of foundational language skills were in favor of the post-measurement. The study recommends integrating identified foundational language skills into early childhood art activities and underscores the importance of immersive learning in language skill instruction at this developmental stage.