Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language in Bangladesh: Theory and Practice

Abstract

Arabic, the fifth most spoken language globally, holds immense significance in global communication, trade, and diplomacy. In Bangladesh, it has gained increasing importance due to its religious, and cultural implications and growing economic ties with the Arab world. As a result, there is a rising demand for Arabic language education in the country. However, teaching and learning Arabic as a foreign language (hereinafter referred to as AFL) in Bangladesh presents unique challenges causing a noticeable gap between theoretical foundations and real life application. This paper, in adopting doctrinal method, attempts to examine the pivotal factors that would be contributing to exacerbating the challenges further in functionally teaching AFL in Bangladesh, highlighting the delicate balance between theoretical underpinnings and practical implementation. It underscores the importance of Arabic language proficiency, considering its historical context and current status in Bangladesh's educational landscape. Specifically, this paper outlines the difficulties faced by Arabic language learners in Bangladesh, thereby illustrating the obstacles which are likely to distance between theory and practice. Moreover, it offers practical recommendations to overcome these challenges and enhance the quality of teaching and learning AFL in Bangladesh. To meet the growing demand for Arabic language competency among students and professionals, the findings of this paper emphasize the necessity for increased investment in Arabic language education in Bangladesh, bridging the gap between theoretical foundations and real-world application.