The Complex Dynamic Behind Arabic Second-language Motivation in Foreign Muslims Studying in Saudi Arabia

Authors

  • Badriyya Al-onazi

    Department of Language Preparation, Arabic Language Teaching Institute, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia
  • Danya Shaalan

    Department of Applied Linguistics, College of Languages, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i7.9818
Received: 1 May 2025 | Revised: 26 May 2025 | Accepted: 12 June 2025 | Published Online: 3 July 2025

Abstract

Muslims have second-language (L2) motivation to learn Arabic, as it is the liturgical language (LL) of their religion. Instruments quantifying Arabic L2 motivation arising from identity, the L2 learning environment, and desire for Saudi integration (“integrativeness”) have been developed for non-Saudi Muslims studying at Arabic Learning Institutes (ALIs) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), considered the center of the Islamic world. This analysis aims to answer the research question: For non-Saudi Muslims studying at KSA’s ALIs, what is the evidence of validity and reliability of the Saudi integrative instrument, and how can this explain the competing L2 motivations revealed in previous research? A mixed methods study of non-Saudi Muslims at an ALI in KSA was conducted, where participants completed the Saudi integrative instrument and other instruments, and were interviewed about their L2 motivation. Participants expressed strong religious L2 motivation, perceiving KSA as a model Islamic society. They strongly desired interaction with Saudis, but were inhibited from conversing in the local vernacular, as the ALIs teach classical Arabic. These dynamics explain why that ALI learners were uncomfortable communicating in Arabic, while also feeling very strong Saudi integrativeness. ALI leaders are encouraged to revise their instructions to help learners develop their L2 fluency in the local vernacular outside of the ALI curriculum. Existing research about L2 Arabic learning has not considered integrativeness as a potential L2 motivation, as much L2 Arabic learning takes place in non-Arabic-speaking countries, making this research study unique.

Keywords:

Second-Language Learning; Classical Arabic; Modern Standard Arabic; L2 Motivation; Saudi Arabia

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How to Cite

Al-onazi, B., & Shaalan, D. (2025). The Complex Dynamic Behind Arabic Second-language Motivation in Foreign Muslims Studying in Saudi Arabia. Forum for Linguistic Studies, 7(7), 66–76. https://doi.org/10.30564/fls.v7i7.9818

Issue

Vol. 7 , Iss. 7 (July 2025)

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Article

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Copyright © 2025 Badriyya Al-onazi, Danya Shaalan

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This is an open access article under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License.