Readability Level of Arabic Text in the Textbook of “Silsilah Fi Ta’limil Lughah Arabiyah” for Universities in Indonesia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to produce readability level of the text in textbook "Silsilah fi Ta'limil Lughah Al-'Arabiyah, Al-Mustawa Ats-Tsaniy, Al Qiraah", knowing the cause of the low level of text readability in terms of word class tendencies and linguistic findings. This study also resulted in the level of reading ability of first-semester Arabic students at universities in Indonesia, as well as the types of texts recommended for use or further development by other researchers. This research was carried out using descriptive qualitative methods, data sourced from the first semester students who took the Qiraah course totalling 83 students, with readability analysis techniques using the Cloze Procedure Test. The research showed that the readability of textbooks was 46% at the frustration level and 29% at the moderate level. The tendency of the word class to make errors generally occur in 1) 27% of perfect verbs (fi’il madhi), 2) 24% of nouns (isim), 3) 16% of imperfect verbs (fiil mudhari). Other factors are 1) Reader Factor, the majority of student inputs to the Arabic Language Education Study Program was 43% from general/vocational high schools; 35% from Islamic high school; and only 22% came from Islamic boarding schools; 2) Reading Factors, the team of writers of textbooks from native Arabic speakers generally relies on their experience, judgment, and culture in presenting the text regardless of the ability of the readers as foreign speakers. The results also showed the low level of readability of textbook due to the scarcity of choice of textbook from Arab countries. 3) Reading Book Factor, this book was minimal in terms of vocabulary and illustrations in the form of pictures so that it was less helpful in independent understanding.