Strengthening Arabic Language Learning through the Arabic Champion Program for Students at Thamavitya Mulniti School, Thailand

Abstract

Arabic language learning at Thamavitya Mulniti School, Yala, Thailand, faces several challenges, including limited student engagement and difficulties in using Arabic in simple situations. These conditions became the basis for students participating in the International KKN-PLP program of Universitas Islam Negeri Sultan Syarif Kasim Riau to design the Arabic Champion program as a more interactive and competitive supporting activity for Arabic language learning. This article aims to describe the implementation of the Arabic Champion program as an effort to strengthen Arabic language learning among students at Thamavitya Mulniti School. This community service activity employed a descriptive qualitative approach, with data collected through observation, interviews, and documentation. The program was conducted on August 19, 2026, involving 40 sixth- and seventh-grade students from the religious classes. Arabic Champion consisted of five competition stages: Arabic Quiz, Arabic Memory, Arabic Mystery, Arabic Market, and the Arabic Battle, with an elimination system that reduced the number of participants to three finalists. The observations showed that students were actively engaged in answering questions, completing challenges, interacting with facilitators, and applying their Arabic language knowledge throughout the activities. Interviews also revealed positive responses from both students and teachers, including expectations that similar activities would be conducted again. Arabic Champion provided students with additional opportunities to practice vocabulary, translation, sentence construction, and basic Arabic grammar through games and competition. Therefore, Arabic Champion can serve as an alternative supporting activity for providing a more active, varied, and participatory Arabic language learning experience.