GAMA (La’bul Istimā’ Al-‘Araby) ‘Alā Asasi Ta’allumi Aṡ- Ṡaqāfah Al-Waṭaniyyah Li Mahārati Al-Istimā’ Al-‘Araby

Abstract

In Indonesia, Arabic is one of the foreign languages taught to students across both formal and informal educational institutions, spanning from primary and middle schools to high schools and universities. Learning a target language naturally entails engaging with its cultural context. Culture-based education enriches students' worldview by introducing new linguistic and cultural information while simultaneously heightening their awareness of their own cultural identity. Successful language education requires students to master four core skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing, which are traditionally arranged sequentially from listening through to writing. Despite a centuries-long history of Arabic instruction in Indonesia, teaching the skills of listening and speaking frequently remains ineffective and struggles to generate strong learner engagement. To address this persistent challenge, innovative instructional media and pedagogical tools are required to support both teachers and students in the learning process. One such solution is GAMA (Arabic Listening Game), an instructional approach that combines active listening practice and game-based training with culturally rooted learning materials. This strategy reinforces the principle that second language acquisition cannot be detached from understanding the target culture.