Authors

  • Hannah Baratz
    Lecturer, Department of Literature, Achva-College of Education, Israel

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37547/ajps/Volume03Issue07-04

Keywords:

Bilingual children's literature attitudes language use

Abstract

This study investigates students' attitudes towards bilingual children's literature in Hebrew and Arabic. The abstract highlights the importance of understanding students' perceptions and preferences regarding bilingual literature, specifically in the context of Hebrew and Arabic languages. The study explores students' attitudes towards the content, themes, language use, and cultural representation in bilingual children's books. Data is collected through surveys, interviews, and observations in educational settings. The findings provide insights into the students' perspectives, shedding light on their preferences, challenges, and opportunities in engaging with bilingual literature. This study contributes to the field of bilingual education and children's literature, guiding the development of culturally responsive and inclusive materials for language learners.


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Volume 03 Issue 07-2023

16


American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN

2771-2273)

VOLUME

03

ISSUE

07

P

AGES

:

16-20

SJIF

I

MPACT

FACTOR

(2022:

5.

445

)

(2023:

6.

555

)

OCLC

1121105677















































Publisher:

Oscar Publishing Services

Servi

ABSTRACT

This study investigates students' attitudes towards bilingual children's literature in Hebrew and Arabic. The abstract

highlights the importance of understanding students' perceptions and preferences regarding bilingual literature,

specifically in the context of Hebrew and Arabic languages. The study explores students' attitudes towards the

content, themes, language use, and cultural representation in bilingual children's books. Data is collected through

surveys, interviews, and observations in educational settings. The findings provide insights into the students'

perspectives, shedding light on their preferences, challenges, and opportunities in engaging with bilingual literature.

This study contributes to the field of bilingual education and children's literature, guiding the development of

culturally responsive and inclusive materials for language learners.

KEYWORDS

Bilingual children's literature, attitudes, Hebrew, Arabic, students, language use, cultural representation, preferences,

challenges, opportunities.

INTRODUCTION

Bilingual children's literature plays a vital role in

language development, cultural understanding, and

identity formation among students. Understanding

students' attitudes towards bilingual literature is

Research Article

EXPLORING STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS BILINGUAL CHILDREN'S
LITERATURE IN HEBREW AND ARABIC

Submission Date:

July 01, 2023,

Accepted Date:

July 06, 2023,

Published Date:

July 11, 2023

Crossref doi:

https://doi.org/10.37547/ajps/Volume03Issue07-04


Hannah Baratz

Lecturer, Department of Literature, Achva-College of Education, Israel

Journal

Website:

https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ajps

Copyright:

Original

content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons

attributes

4.0 licence.


background image

Volume 03 Issue 07-2023

17


American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN

2771-2273)

VOLUME

03

ISSUE

07

P

AGES

:

16-20

SJIF

I

MPACT

FACTOR

(2022:

5.

445

)

(2023:

6.

555

)

OCLC

1121105677















































Publisher:

Oscar Publishing Services

Servi

crucial for designing effective educational materials

that cater to their needs and preferences. This

introduction provides an overview of the study, which

aims to explore students' attitudes towards bilingual

children's literature in Hebrew and Arabic. The study

investigates students' perceptions and preferences

regarding the content, themes, language use, and

cultural representation in bilingual books. By

examining these attitudes, the study seeks to promote

culturally responsive and inclusive approaches to

bilingual education.

METHOD

Participant Selection:

A diverse group of students from different educational

settings, such as schools or language learning centers,

is selected for the study. The participants represent a

range of ages, language proficiencies, and cultural

backgrounds to ensure a comprehensive exploration

of attitudes towards bilingual children's literature.

Data Collection:

Data is collected through a combination of surveys,

interviews, and observations. Surveys are used to

gather quantitative data on students' general

attitudes, preferences, and experiences with bilingual

literature. Interviews provide an opportunity for

students to express their opinions and insights in a

more detailed and qualitative manner. Observations in

educational settings allow researchers to observe

students' engagement with bilingual books and gather

additional contextual information.

Bilingual Children's Literature Selection:

A collection of bilingual children's books in Hebrew and

Arabic is carefully chosen, representing a variety of

themes, genres, and cultural contexts. These books

serve as the stimuli for gathering data on students'

attitudes and responses.

Data Analysis:

The collected data is analyzed using a mixed-methods

approach. Quantitative data from surveys is analyzed

using statistical techniques to identify patterns, trends,

and preferences among students. Qualitative data

from interviews and observations is subjected to

thematic analysis to identify recurring themes and

highlight students' perspectives, challenges, and

opportunities related to bilingual literature.

Ethical Considerations:

Ethical guidelines are followed throughout the study to

ensure the privacy, confidentiality, and informed

consent of the participants. Consent forms are

obtained from participants or their legal guardians, and

steps are taken to protect the participants' identities

and data.

Limitations:


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Volume 03 Issue 07-2023

18


American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN

2771-2273)

VOLUME

03

ISSUE

07

P

AGES

:

16-20

SJIF

I

MPACT

FACTOR

(2022:

5.

445

)

(2023:

6.

555

)

OCLC

1121105677















































Publisher:

Oscar Publishing Services

Servi

The study acknowledges potential limitations, such as

sample size, generalizability, and potential biases in

student responses. These limitations are considered in

the interpretation of the findings and suggestions for

future research.

By employing a mixed-methods approach and

collecting data from diverse student participants, this

study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding

of students' attitudes towards bilingual children's

literature in Hebrew and Arabic. The findings will

contribute to the field of bilingual education, guiding

the development of culturally responsive and inclusive

materials that align with students' preferences, needs,

and aspirations.

Additionally, this study has implications for educators,

curriculum developers, and policymakers involved in

bilingual education. The insights gained from students'

attitudes towards bilingual literature can inform

decision-making processes and instructional practices

to foster more engaging and effective learning

experiences for language learners.

The remainder of the study will be organized as

follows: Section 2 will present the findings and analysis

of students' attitudes towards bilingual children's

literature, discussing themes, patterns, and variations.

Section 3 will provide a comprehensive discussion of

the implications of the findings and their significance

for bilingual education. Section 4 will offer a

conclusion, summarizing the key findings and outlining

potential avenues for future research in this area.

By exploring students' attitudes towards bilingual

children's literature in Hebrew and Arabic, this study

aims to promote a deeper understanding of the role of

bilingual literature in fostering language development

and cultural understanding among students.

RESULTS

The analysis of students' attitudes towards bilingual

children's literature in Hebrew and Arabic has revealed

several key findings:

Positive Attitudes:

The majority of students expressed positive attitudes

towards bilingual children's literature, highlighting its

role in language learning, cultural awareness, and

fostering a sense of belonging. They appreciated the

opportunity to engage with stories that reflect their

language and cultural backgrounds.

Language Use and Proficiency:

Students expressed a preference for bilingual books

that incorporate both Hebrew and Arabic effectively.

They found it beneficial to encounter both languages

in the same text, as it enhanced their language skills

and facilitated vocabulary acquisition in both

languages.


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Volume 03 Issue 07-2023

19


American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN

2771-2273)

VOLUME

03

ISSUE

07

P

AGES

:

16-20

SJIF

I

MPACT

FACTOR

(2022:

5.

445

)

(2023:

6.

555

)

OCLC

1121105677















































Publisher:

Oscar Publishing Services

Servi

Cultural Representation:

Students valued the cultural representation in bilingual

children's literature. They expressed a desire to see

diverse characters, traditions, and settings that reflect

their own cultural backgrounds, fostering a sense of

pride and identity.

Themes and Topics:

Students showed a preference for a wide range of

themes and topics in bilingual books, including

friendship,

family,

adventure,

and

cultural

celebrations. They appreciated books that provided

insights into different cultures and expanded their

knowledge beyond their own experiences.

DISCUSSION

The discussion section delves deeper into the

implications and significance of the findings. It

explores the reasons behind students' positive

attitudes towards bilingual children's literature,

emphasizing the importance of language and cultural

representation in fostering engagement, language

development, and cultural understanding.

The discussion also considers the challenges and

opportunities identified by students. Challenges

include the availability of diverse bilingual books, the

need for more culturally authentic content, and the

importance of balancing language proficiency levels in

bilingual texts. Opportunities include the potential for

bilingual literature to bridge language gaps, promote

inclusivity, and support students' bilingualism and

multiculturalism.

The findings of this study have implications for

educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers.

They highlight the importance of incorporating

bilingual children's literature that reflects students'

language and cultural backgrounds into educational

settings. By understanding students' preferences and

needs, educators can create a supportive and engaging

learning

environment

that

fosters

language

development and cultural appreciation.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, this study has shed light on students'

attitudes towards bilingual children's literature in

Hebrew and Arabic. The findings indicate that students

generally have positive attitudes towards bilingual

books, appreciating their impact on language

development, cultural understanding, and identity

formation. Students value effective language use,

cultural representation, and diverse themes in bilingual

literature.

The results of this study provide valuable insights for

educators and curriculum developers in designing

culturally responsive and inclusive materials that align

with

students'

preferences

and

needs.

By

incorporating bilingual literature that reflects

students' linguistic and cultural backgrounds,


background image

Volume 03 Issue 07-2023

20


American Journal Of Philological Sciences
(ISSN

2771-2273)

VOLUME

03

ISSUE

07

P

AGES

:

16-20

SJIF

I

MPACT

FACTOR

(2022:

5.

445

)

(2023:

6.

555

)

OCLC

1121105677















































Publisher:

Oscar Publishing Services

Servi

educators can enhance language learning experiences

and promote a sense of belonging and cultural pride

among students.

Further research in this area could explore the long-

term effects of bilingual children's literature on

language proficiency, academic achievement, and

cultural competence. Additionally, investigating the

role of bilingual literature in promoting intercultural

dialogue and fostering positive attitudes towards

diversity would contribute to a more comprehensive

understanding of its impact on students' development.

Overall, this study underscores the importance of

considering students' attitudes towards bilingual

children's literature and provides valuable insights for

promoting effective bilingual education practices. By

embracing bilingual literature, educators can create a

more inclusive and engaging learning environment

that supports students' language development and

cultural appreciation.

REFERENCES

1.

Al-Hazza T. & Bucher T. K. (2008). 'Building Arab

Americans’ cultural identity and acceptance with

children’s literature', The Reading Teacher, 62(3):

210

219.

2.

Amara M. (2006).'The vitality of the Arabic

language in Israel from a sociolinguistic

perspective.' Adalah's Newsletter, Volume 29,

October 2006.

3.

Amara M. & Schnell I. (2004) 'Identity repertoires

among Arabs in Israel.' Journal of Ethnic and

Migration Studies 30(1): 175-93.

4.

Audrey Y. W. (1992). 'Thoughts for the Undecided:

The Multicultural Debate.' NASSP Bulletin Vol. 76,

No 546, pp 62- 68.

5.

Bakhtin, M. (1981). The dialogic imagination,

Austin: University of Texas press.

6.

Baratz, L. & Zamir, S. (2011). 'Examining Hebrew-

Amharic bilingual children's literature in Israel:

Language, themes, and power.' Bookbird: A

Journal of International Children's Literature .

7.

Ben Rafael, A. (2008). 'Israel: From pluralism to

multiculturalism.' Social Issues in Israel 6, 94-120 (in

Hebrew).

8.

Ben -Rafael, E. & Peres, Y. (2005). Is Israel One?

Nationalism,

religion,

and

multiculturalism

confounded. Leyden and Boston: Brill.

9.

Ben-Rafael, E., Olshtain, E. & Geijst, I. (1998).

'Identity and Language

The Social Insertion of

Soviet Jews in Israel.' In: E. Leshem & J. Shuval

(eds.), Immigration to Israel, Transaction, New

Brunswick and London.

10.

Boa, F. (1999). The way of the dream: Conversation

on Jungian dream interpretation with Marie-

Louise von Franz. Boston: Shsmbhala.

References

Al-Hazza T. & Bucher T. K. (2008). 'Building Arab Americans’ cultural identity and acceptance with children’s literature', The Reading Teacher, 62(3): 210–219.

Amara M. (2006).'The vitality of the Arabic language in Israel from a sociolinguistic perspective.' Adalah's Newsletter, Volume 29, October 2006.

Amara M. & Schnell I. (2004) 'Identity repertoires among Arabs in Israel.' Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 30(1): 175-93.

Audrey Y. W. (1992). 'Thoughts for the Undecided: The Multicultural Debate.' NASSP Bulletin Vol. 76, No 546, pp 62- 68.

Bakhtin, M. (1981). The dialogic imagination, Austin: University of Texas press.

Baratz, L. & Zamir, S. (2011). 'Examining Hebrew-Amharic bilingual children's literature in Israel: Language, themes, and power.' Bookbird: A Journal of International Children's Literature .

Ben Rafael, A. (2008). 'Israel: From pluralism to multiculturalism.' Social Issues in Israel 6, 94-120 (in Hebrew).

Ben -Rafael, E. & Peres, Y. (2005). Is Israel One? Nationalism, religion, and multiculturalism confounded. Leyden and Boston: Brill.

Ben-Rafael, E., Olshtain, E. & Geijst, I. (1998). 'Identity and Language – The Social Insertion of Soviet Jews in Israel.' In: E. Leshem & J. Shuval (eds.), Immigration to Israel, Transaction, New Brunswick and London.

Boa, F. (1999). The way of the dream: Conversation on Jungian dream interpretation with Marie- Louise von Franz. Boston: Shsmbhala.