THE INTONATION PATTERN OF INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON THE LEARNING OF MAHĀRAH AL-KALĀM AMONG ARABIC LANGUAGE EDUCATION STUDENTS

Abstract

Purpose: Ideally, students as future educators of the Arabic language are required to possess competent language skills. However, it was discovered that the students were still lacking knowledge and skills in speaking with accurate intonation. Therefore, the researchers aimed to analyze the application of the intonation pattern to the students. This research examined the intonation pattern of interrogative sentences of Arabic Education students and its acceptance by native speakers as well as its implications on the learning of mahārah al-kalām. Methodology: Data sources in this research consisted of primary data and secondary data. Documentation, interview, and observation methods were used for data collection. The data was processed digitally with the Praat version 6.1.01 program. Main Findings: The results were that students could apply the intonation pattern of Arabic interrogative sentences and were accepted by native speakers with varied acceptance values. Implications/Applications: The implications of the learning mahārah al-kalām demonstrated that students and lecturers could apply the principles and fulfil the components of Arabic in general. Novelty/Originality of this study: Inaccuracy in concluding by listeners of messages delivered by speakers can occur due to misperceptions caused by the use of unsuitable intonation patterns. The inaccuracy in applying this intonation pattern also occurs in the speech of Arabic education students. However, currently, there is no research that further inquiries the results obtained in the realm of foreign language education, particularly on speaking skills. This study has investigated the application of the interrogative sentence intonation patterns spoken by students and their implications for learning speaking skills.