Culture of Traits in Arabic language education: Students' perception of the Communicative Traits Model

Abstract

The purpose of the research reported in this article is to present the notion of Culture of Traits (CoTs) and to develop a 'Communicative Traits Model' (CTM) in teaching, learning, and assessing of Arabic as a first language. The ultimate goal is to create a shared vocabulary, establish a common language and build a consistent understanding of what constitutes good teaching, learning, and assessing of Arabic. Towards this aim, two complementary dimensions were investigated; An analysis of the origins and nature of the notion of CoTs, of how language learning happens and of how to conceptualize and encapsulate this in a model to create such a shared vocabulary in the teaching, learning, and assessing of Arabic. To validate the usefulness of CTM, the Bahraini teacher candidates completed the researcher-developed questionnaire to survey their views about what has been revealed by the analysis regarding CTM. Results indicated a very positive agreement on the importance of CTM as a clear and a practical framework to teach, learn, and assess the Arabic language not only in writing but also in speaking, reading and listening.