Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume 15. Number 2, June 2024                             Pp.261-273

Investigating Arab Students’ Communication Strategies in Speaking English as a Medium of Instruction

Department of Foreign Language Education, Faculty of Education, Eastern Mediterranean
University, Famagusta, North Cyprus.

Department of Foreign Language Education, Faculty of Education, Eastern Mediterranean
University, Famagusta, North Cyprus.

Department of Foreign Language Education, Faculty of Education, Eastern Mediterranean
University, Famagusta, North Cyprus

Corresponding Author: a.fawzi.shamsi@gmail.com

Abstract:

Speaking English in a multicultural context is considered one of the main requirements for students to communicate with their teachers and colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Due to the scarcity of these studies about Arab students, our study aimed to investigate the most Communication Strategies (CSs) used by Arab students in speaking English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in a public university in North Cyprus. Besides, it focused more on examining the possible correlation between these strategies and social factors (namely, gender and proficiency level). The study adopted the quantitative research tool, which included 102 participants. The descriptive analysis revealed several CSs adopted by Arab students when speaking English in an EMI setting. The results of ANOVA and t. test reported positive effects of gender and level of proficiency on students’ usage of communication strategies. This study might contribute to drawing the attention of Foreign Language Schools to the teachability of communication strategies for Arab learners of English.
Keywords: Arab students, communication strategies, English as a medium of instruction, investigating, speaking English

Cite as:

Tarabelsi, N., Aboud, F., & Shamsi, A. F. (2024). Investigating Arab Students’ Communication Strategies in Speaking English as a Medium of Instruction. Arab World English Journal, 15(2),  261-273.

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Nour Tarabelsi is a Senior Instructor and researcher at Eastern Mediterranean University Famagusta, North Cyprus. Her research interest centers on sociolinguistics, pragmatics, communication, and English as a foreign language.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0009-0004-1374-8306

Farida Aboud  holds a doctor degree in English Language Teaching at Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, North Cyprus. Her research interests center on pragmatics, sociolinguistics, multilingualism, teacher identity, technology and language learning/teaching. ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6766-7799

 Ahmad Fawzi Shamsi holds a doctor degree in English Language Teaching at Eastern Mediterranean University Famagusta, North Cyprus. His research interest centers on writing for publication, academic writing, language learning and teaching, teaching methodologies, teaching via technology, multilingualism, and education during emergencies.
ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4050-8218