Employing Corpora for Teaching Arabic in School Classes: An Applied Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35516/Hum.2026.9624Keywords:
Corpus linguistics, corpora in language teaching, Arabic language instruction, pedagogic corpus, Sketch Engine, teaching methodologies.Abstract
Objectives: This study examines the role of corpora in Arabic language teaching and learning, highlighting corpus-based educational methodologies and their integration with modern technology. It explores key research on corpus applications in language instruction and assesses the effectiveness of pedagogic corpora in Arabic education. The study also implements corpus-based educational activities using the Sketch Engine program with a sample of 86 second-year baccalaureate students in Morocco.
Methods: The study employs an analytical approach to investigate the use of corpora in teaching Arabic and compare their application in teaching other languages. Additionally, an experimental methodology was adopted to develop a pedagogic corpus based on the novel The Thief and the Dogs, annotated with parts of speech. A series of educational activities were designed and implemented using various Sketch Engine tools to evaluate their impact on student learning.
Results: Findings indicate that integrating linguistic corpora and computational tools such as Sketch Engine enhances students' comprehension of Arabic texts. The approach facilitated the analysis of narrative structures, verb patterns, syntactic constructions, and rhetorical elements. Students demonstrated improved linguistic analysis skills, critical thinking, and engagement with textual material. The study confirms that incorporating corpora into Arabic language instruction enhances traditional teaching methods, making them more interactive and effective.
Conclusion: The study recommends the integration of corpus linguistics into Arabic language curricula to modernize teaching strategies and improve student learning outcomes.
Downloads
References
Abdel Latif, M. M. M. (2021). Corpus literacy instruction in language teacher education: Investigating Arab EFL student teachers’ immediate beliefs and long-term practices. ReCALL, 33(1), 34–48. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0958344020000129
Abdelali, A., Cowie, J., & Soliman, H. (2005, July). Building a modern standard Arabic corpus. In Workshop on Computational Modeling of Lexical Acquisition (pp. 25–28). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228958341_Building_a_modern_standard_Arabic_corpus
Adamou, E. (2019). Corpus linguistic methods. In J. Darquennes, J. Salmons, & W. Vandenbussche (Eds.), Language contact. Boston, MA & Berlin, Germany: Mouton de Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110435351-052
Alfaifi, A., & Atwell, E. (2016). Comparative evaluation of tools for Arabic corpora search and analysis. International Journal of Speech Technology, 19, 347–357. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10772-015-9285-5
Almujaiwel, S., & Al-Thubaity, A. (2016, August). Arabic corpus processing tools for corpus linguistics and language teaching. In Makalah Seminar. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309351881
Al-Oseimi, S. (2020). Corpus linguistics and its applications in second language teaching. Journal of Arabic Sciences, 40.
Alotaibi, H. M. (2017). Arabic-English parallel corpus: A new resource for translation training and language teaching. Arab World English Journal, 8. http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3053572
Alruwaili, A. (2024). In the future I will use corpora in my classroom: Is it really applicable? Porta Linguarum Revista Interuniversitaria de Didáctica de las Lenguas Extranjeras. https://doi.org/10.30827/portalin.vi42.27574
Al-Sulaiti, L., & Atwell, E. S. (2006). The design of a corpus of contemporary Arabic. International Journal of Corpus Linguistics, 11(2), 135–171. https://doi.org/10.1075/IJCL.11.2.02ALS
Aston, G. (2001). Learning with corpora: An overview. In G. Aston (Ed.), Learning with corpora (pp. 7–45). Houston, TX: Athelstan. https://digital.casalini.it/8849117019
Bennett, G. R. (2010). Using corpora in the language learning classroom: Corpus linguistics for teachers. University of Michigan Press. https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.371534
Biber, D., Conrad, S., & Reppen, R. (1998). Corpus linguistics: Investigating language structure and use. Cambridge University Press. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511804489
Boulton, A. (2010). Data-driven learning: Taking the computer out of the equation. Language Learning, 60(3), 534–572.
Boulton, A. (2011). Data-driven learning: The perpetual enigma. In G. Gilquin, S. Granger, & F. Meunier (Eds.), Exploring the landscape of learner English. John Benjamins.
Boulton, A. (2012). Beyond concordancing: Multiple affordances of corpora in university language degrees. Language Learning & Technology, 16(3), 31–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2012.02.008
Boulton, A. (2016). Integrating corpus tools & techniques in ESP courses. ASp, 69, 111–135. https://doi.org/10.4000/asp.4826
Boulton, A. (2017). Corpora in language teaching and learning. Language Teaching, 50(4), 483–506. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0261444817000167
Braun, S. (2005). Corpus-based teaching materials: Pedagogical applications of corpora. Linguistic Insights: Studies in Language and Communication, 22, 53–69.
Chapelle, C., & Jamieson, J. (2008). Tips for teaching with CALL: Practical approaches to computer-assisted language learning. Pearson Education.
Conrad, S. M., & LeVelle, K. R. (2008). Corpus linguistics and second language instruction. In B. Spolsky & F. M. Hult (Eds.), The handbook of educational linguistics (pp. 539–556). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470694138.ch38
Eddakrouri, A. (2018). Linguistic corpora and their role in Arabic text processing (1st ed.). In King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Center for the Service of the Arabic Language (Ed.). Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Dar Wujuh for Publishing and Distribution.
Ellis, R. (2003). Task-based language learning and teaching. Oxford University Press.
Flowerdew, J. (1994). Academic listening: Research perspectives. Cambridge University Press.
Flowerdew, J. (2009). Corpora in language teaching. In M. H. Long & C. J. Doughty (Eds.), The handbook of language teaching (pp. 327–350). Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444315783
Gavioli, L. (2005). Exploring corpora for ESP learning. John Benjamins. https://doi.org/10.1075/scl.21
Gavioli, L., & Aston, G. (2001). Enriching reality: Language corpora in language pedagogy. ELT Journal, 55(3), 238–246. https://doi.org/10.1093/elt/55.3.238
Granger, S. (2003). The International Corpus of Learner English: A new resource for foreign language learning and teaching and second language acquisition research. TESOL Quarterly, 37(3), 538–546.
Hunston, S. (2002). Corpora in applied linguistics. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139524773
Huyen, N. T. T. (2019). Using corpora to teach collocations in a university context. Education Science, 16(8), 275–300.
Johns, T. (1991). Should you be persuaded: Two examples of data-driven learning. ELR Journal, 4, 1–16.
Kilgarriff, A., Baisa, V., Bušta, J., Jakubíček, M., Kovář, V., Michelfeit, J., Rychlý, P., & Suchomel, V. (2014). The Sketch Engine: Ten years on. Lexicography, 1(1), 7–36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40607-014-0009-9
Kilgarriff, A., Marcowitz, F., Smith, S., & Thomas, J. (2015). Corpora and language learning with the Sketch Engine and SKELL. Revue française de linguistique appliquée, 20(1), 61–80. https://doi.org/10.3917/rfla.201.0061
Kilgarriff, A., Rychlý, P., Smrž, P., & Tugwell, D. (2004). The Sketch Engine. In Proceedings of the Eleventh EURALEX International Congress. Lorient, France.
Ladefoged, P. (2006). A course in phonetics (5th ed.). Thomson Wadsworth.
Lee, D. (2004). Corpus-based approaches to language teaching. TESOL Quarterly, 38(2), 327–331.
Leech, G. (1997). Teaching and language corpora: A convergence. In A. Wichmann, S. Fligelstone, T. McEnery, & G. Knowles (Eds.), Teaching and language corpora (pp. 1–23). London: Longman.
Leech, G., & Candlin, C. (1986). Corpus-based language studies: An advanced resource book. Routledge.
Leńko-Szymańska, A. (2017). Training teachers in data-driven learning: Tackling the challenge. Language Learning & Technology, 21(3), 217–241. https://doi.org/10.10125/44485
Leńko-Szymańska, A. (2022). Training teachers and learners to use corpora. In E. Csomay & R. Jablonkai (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of corpora in English language teaching and learning (pp. 509–524). Abingdon, UK: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003002901-39
Leńko-Szymańska, A., & Boulton, A. (2015). Multiple affordances of language corpora for data-driven learning. In A. Leńko-Szymańska & A. Boulton (Eds.), Multiple affordances of language corpora for data-driven learning (pp. 1–14). John Benjamins Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1075/scl.69
Ma, Q., & Mei, F. (2021). Review of corpus tools for vocabulary teaching and learning. Journal of China Computer-Assisted Language Learning, 1(1), 177–190. https://doi.org/10.1515/jccall-2021-2008
Ma, Q., Tang, J., & Lin, S. (2021). The development of corpus-based language pedagogy for TESOL teachers: A two-step training approach facilitated by online collaboration. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 35(9), 2731–2760. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2021.1895225
Ma, Q., Yuan, R., Cheung, L. M. E., & Yang, J. (2022). Teacher paths for developing corpus-based language pedagogy: A case study. Computer Assisted Language Learning, 37(3), 461–492. https://doi.org/10.1080/09588221.2022.2040537
Maachi, H., & Khamar, H. (2024). Investing corpus linguistics in school lexicography. Journal of Arabic Linguistics, 19, 86–110. https://doi.org/10.60161/1482-000-019-004
Maachi, H., & Khamar, H. (2025). The contribution of corpus linguistics and natural language processing tools in the development of school lexicography. In B. Hdioud & S. L. Aouragh (Eds.), Arabic language processing: From theory to practice (ICALP 2024, Communications in Computer and Information Science, Vol. 2340, pp. 41–50). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-80438-0_4
Mahfouz, R. (2021). The effectiveness of educational electronic corpora in developing certain artistic skills among preparatory stage students. Journal of the Faculty of Education (Assiut), 37(1), 151–174. https://digitalcommons.aaru.edu.jo/jfe_au/vol37/iss1/6/
McEnery, T., & Wilson, A. (2001). Corpus linguistics: An introduction (2nd ed.). Edinburgh University Press. https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3366/j.ctvxcrjmp
McEnery, T. (2006). Corpus-based language studies: An advanced resource book. London & New York: Routledge.
McEnery, T., & Hardie, A. (2011). Corpus linguistics: Method, theory and practice. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511981395
Mohammed, A. A. (2020). Data-driven approach for teaching Arabic as a foreign language. Journal of the College of Education for Women, 31(1). https://doi.org/10.36231/coedw/vol31no1.1
Nation, I. S. P. (2001). Learning vocabulary in another language. Cambridge University Press.
Nesselhauf, N. (2004). Learner corpora and their potential for language teaching. In J. Sinclair (Ed.), How to use corpora in language teaching (pp. 125–152). John Benjamins. https://doi.org/10.1075/scl.12.11nes
O’Keeffe, A., McCarthy, M., & Carter, R. (2007). From corpus to classroom: Language use and language teaching. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511497650
Perdana Prasetya, E., Dewi Ekawati, A., Sapta Nugraha, D., Marzuq, A., & Saputri Darlis, T. (2020). Corpus linguistics, language corpora and language teaching. English Journal, 14(2), 75–83. https://doi.org/10.32832/english.v14i2.3845
Reppen, R. (2010). Using corpora in the language classroom. Cambridge University Press.
Roach, P. (2009). English phonetics and phonology (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Römer, U. (2006). Pedagogical applications of corpora: Some reflections on the current scope and a wish list for future developments. Zeitschrift für Anglistik und Amerikanistik, 54(2), 121–134. https://doi.org/10.1515/zaa-2006-0204
Römer, U. (2008). Corpora and language teaching. In A. Lüdeling & M. Kytö (Eds.), Corpus linguistics: An international handbook (Vol. 1, pp. 112–130). Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter.
Römer, U. (2011). Corpus research applications in second language teaching. Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, 31, 205–225. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0267190511000055
Rost, M. (2013). Teaching and researching listening (3rd ed.). Pearson.
Sinclair, J. (2004). Introduction. In J. Sinclair (Ed.), How to use corpora in language teaching (pp. 1–10). John Benjamins. https://doi.org/10.1075/scl.12.02sin
Swales, J. M. (1990). Genre analysis: English in academic and research settings. Cambridge University Press.
Vyatkina, N. (2020). Corpora as open educational resources for language teaching. Foreign Language Annals. https://doi.org/10.1111/flan.12464
Whitcomb, L., & Alansary, S. (2017). Using linguistic corpora in Arabic foreign language teaching and learning. In M. Al-Batal (Ed.), Handbook for Arabic language teaching professionals in the 21st century (Vol. II, pp. 219–231). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315676111
Zaki, M. (2017). Corpus‐based teaching in the Arabic classroom: Theoretical and practical perspectives. International Journal of Applied Linguistics, 27(2), 514–541. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijal.12159
Zanettin, F. (2000). Parallel corpora in translation studies: Issues in corpus design and analysis. In C. Schäffner & B. Adab (Eds.), Developing translation competence (pp. 105–116). John Benjamins.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Dirasat: Human and Social Sciences

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

