Learning and Teaching Arabic as an Additional Language – Phase 2: Systematic Reviews of Experimental Research
The Project
This project constituted the second phase of our review of research on the learning and teaching of Arabic as an Additional Language (AL2).
Phase 1 consisted of a thorough, systematic scoping review and bibliographic mapping study, funded by QFI (2023). Our scoping review identified available research, published in English, on the theme of learning and teaching AL2.
Building on this work, Phase 2 consists of a series in-depth systematic reviews, synthesizing research on the learning and teaching of AL2. We focused on experimental and quasi-experimental studies which are designed to assess causal relationships between variables – for example, the effect of a particular pedagogical intervention on a given outcome variable.
Six individual systematic reviews were planned, focusing on: reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar and vocabulary. Reviews on the four skills have been completed, with the vocabulary and grammar reviews scheduled to be completed by April 2026.
We identified few experimental/quasi-experimental studies investigating reading, writing, speaking and listening in AL2. Quality assessment of these studies revealed important areas for future development in the field of AL2 experimental research.
Findings and discussions of these results and their implications were presented at the first Oxford-QFI Forum, hosted at the Department of Education in July 2024. Findings of all six reviews are due to be published in article format.
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Project Details
Research Team
More Projects
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Same But Different: Systems Of Smoothing Noun Entropy In CommunicationJanuary 2025 - January 2028This project aims to explore how grammatical gender systems in language play a critical role in reducing the unpredictability of nouns.
-
Motivation, Engagement and Achievement in Arabic as an Additional Language: An Empirical Investigation in UK Secondary SchoolsOctober 2025 - September 2026Motivation is a sine qua non for language learning.
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From the page to the stage: A feasibility study on using theatre to improve EAL children’s communicative skillsJanuary 2020 - May 2020This project explored whether drama can be used as a tool to develop the linguistic, communication, and teamwork skills of children with EAL.
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Oral language development through drama: Practitioner needs and perspectivesSeptember 2024 - August 2025This project investigated primary school teachers’ perceptions regarding the use of drama for developing young (language) learners oral language and communication skills.
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Motivation, Engagement and Achievement in Arabic as an Additional Language: An Empirical Investigation in UK Secondary SchoolsOctober 2024 - September 2025An empirical study into the motivation, engagement and achievement of learners of AL2 in UK secondary schools.
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Learning and Teaching Arabic as an Additional Language – Phase 3: Systematic Review of Motivation StudiesOctober 2024 - September 2025This project consisted of a systematic review of studies on motivations towards the teaching and learning of Arabic as an Additional Language.
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