Tawṭīr al-Kitāb al-Taʿlīmī li-Mahārat al-Kalām bi-al-Kharīṭah al-Dhihniyyah

Abstract

The Al-Risalah International Programmed Institute adopted Arabic as its official language, requiring students to use it daily. However, implementation faced two main challenges: (1) new students needed to adapt quickly to communicate with senior students already proficient in Arabic, and (2) the speaking skills textbook remained traditional and less effective. To address these issues, this research introduced mind mapping as an innovative approach. Mind maps provide an easy and creative way to organize and retrieve information, serving as an effective tool for note-taking and idea mapping. The objectives of this study were to: (1) develop a speaking skills textbook using mind maps, (2) identify its features, and (3) evaluate its effectiveness in improving students’ speaking proficiency. This research employed a Research and Development (R&D) method based on Borg and Gall’s model, which includes steps such as preliminary study, data collection, product design, expert validation, revision, feasibility testing, effectiveness testing, and final product dissemination. The findings revealed that the developed textbook, titled Speak to Us, consists of essential vocabulary, key expressions, dialogues, and practical exercises supported by mind maps. Effectiveness testing showed significant improvement, with a score of 10.4, indicating that the mind-map-based textbook had a substantial impact on enhancing students’ speaking skills. This study highlights the potential of integrating mind mapping into language learning materials to promote better engagement and language acquisition.