Using Journalism to Teach Arabic for Speakers of Other Languages (ASOL)
Hala Beedes and Muna Al-Ajrami, Language Center, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
Abstract
Using the language of newspapers and magazines is important in teaching ASOL. It is an intrinsic instrument that, if used properly and directed well, can be as good as or better than other comparable means of teaching Arabic.
Most people are aware of the harmonious link between Arabic and journalism. The language of newspapers apparently supplies the learner of Arabic with a rich and vivid linguistic repertoire.
This study aims at displaying some language issues used in four Jordanian newspapers (Al-Rai, Ad-Dustur, Al-Arab Alyaom, and Al-Gad). It closely analyzes Arabic used in these papers and tries to show incorrect language patterns (morphological, syntactic, indicative, lexical or spelling), corrects them and tries to pinpoint the reasons behind these mistakes. Moreover, it recommends suggestions for avoiding these errors.
The study follows the descriptive, analytic inductive approach.
Key words: Journalism, language mistakes, teaching ASOL.