Comparative Case Study of English and Arabic Language Policy in Islamic Secondary School
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v14i2.11433Keywords:
Arabic-English language policy; case study; Islamic secondary schools; Islamic identityAbstract
This article investigates how Arabic and English are ideologically valued, institutionally managed, and selectively practiced in three Indonesian Islamic secondary schools. Three principals, three curriculum coordinators, six language teachers, and three students took part in semi-structured interviews. Observations and school documents supported triangulation. English was primarily associated with communication, academic mobility, technology, and confidence, whereas Arabic was associated with religious literacy, kitab learning, and Islamic identity. Implementation occurred through differentiated programs rather than equivalent formal policy structures: English through speaking, presentations, dialogues, and clubs; Arabic through mufrodat (vocabulary), muhadasah (conversation practice), kitab study, and religious or public-school activities. Indonesian remained the main language for explanation and informal interaction, so the observed ecology was selectively bilingual rather than immersive. Challenges included low confidence, English pronunciation anxiety, vocabulary, and grammar demands in Arabic. Schools should define program ownership, align each language’s functions with realistic routines, monitor equitable opportunities for meaningful use in bilingual policy planning, and consider Islamic identity.
References
Abduh, A., & Rosmaladewi, R. (2019). Language Policy, Identity, And Bilingual Education In Indonesia: A Historical Overview. Xlinguae, 12, 219–227. Https://Doi.Org/10.18355/Xl.2019.12.01.17
Al-Zoubi, D. M., & Abu-Eid, M. A. (2014). The Influence Of The First Language (Arabic) On Learning English As A Second Language In Jordanian Schools, And Its Relation To Educational Policy: Structural Errors. Sino-Us English Teaching, 11(5), 355–372.
Al Fajar, A. H. (2025). The Development of Arabic and English Language Culture in Modern Islamic Boarding Schools. Jurnal Paradigma, 17(1), 80–96. Https://Doi.Org/10.53961/Paradigma.V17i1.309
Ali, M., Apriantoro, M. S., Abdillah, I., Fauzi, H., & Amirrachman, R. A. (2025). Institutionalization And Renewal Of Traditional Islamic Education In Surakarta, Indonesia (1905-1942). Journal Of Islamic Thought And Civilization (JITC), 15(2).
Arifuddin, S. (2025). Language Education Policies And Their Influence On Multilingual Classrooms In Indonesia. Mauve Journal De Leardu, 2(4), 186–196.
Asrofi, I., Supriatna, A., R, A. A. K., & Ruswandi, A. (2025). Arabic Language Acquisition in Boarding High School Students: A Study of Environment, Motivation, and Social Interaction. Lughawiyah Journal Of Arabic Education And Linguistics, 7(2), 138–153.
Bernstein, K. A., Anderson, K. T., Close, K., Martinez, S. R., Bernstein, K. A., Anderson, K. T., Close, K., & Martinez, S. R. (2023). Teacher Beliefs About Multilingual Learners: How Language Ideologies Shape Teachers' Hypothetical Policymaking Ideologies'. International Multilingual Research Journal, 17(3), 191–219. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/19313152.2023.2182094
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, And Mixed Methods Approaches (5th Ed.). Ca: Sage Publications.
Duff, P. A. (2008). Case Study Research in Applied Linguistics (1st Ed.). Taylor & Francis Group, Llc.
Erdy, M. (2025). The Origins, Theories, and Linguistic Development of the Qur'an. Journal Kajian Keislaman, 2(1), 13–22. Https://Doi.Org/10.56566/Jks.V2i1.300
Gallo-Lozano, A. M. (2025). Invisible Educational Stakeholders In Language Planning And Policy *. Revista, 4(2024), 67–81.
Garras, H. El, & Sciences, H. (2025). English, the Global Language: Its Strength, Status, and Future. International Journal Of Linguistics, Literature And Translation, 0299, 122–130. Https://Doi. Org/10.32996/Ijllt
Hermiwati, Hasyib, M. T. J., Machmuda, U., & Wicaksono, M. A. (2025). Enhancing Arabic Vocabulary Acquisition: Development Of Learning Apps Based Interactive Learning Media. 12(2), 51–80. Https://Doi.Org/10.21111/Lisanudhad. V12i2.14687
Hukubun, Y., & Wariunsora, M. (2024). The Influence Of Language Policy On Indonesian Language In Secondary School And Teacher Perception. Idebahasa: Science and Humanity Journal, 4(2), 522–529.
Kholis, V., & Nur, D. (2025). A Comparative Study Of Arabic Language Education In Indonesia, Thailand, China, And South Korea. International Journal Of Social Science Research And Review, 8(7), 133–143.
Kosim, M., Muqoddam, F., Mubarok, F., & Laila, N. Q. (2023). The Dynamics Of Islamic Education Policies In Indonesia. Cogent Education, 10(1), 1–15. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/2331186x.2023.2172930
Maf’udah, S., Bahruddin, U., Hasan, N., & Barry, A. (2025). Arabic Language Practice in Islamic Boarding Schools: (A Linguistic Landscape Study). Shaut Al-’Arabiyah, 13(1). Https://Doi.Org/10.24252/Saa.V13i1.55860
Matatula, M. Y., & Tupalessy, P. (2025). Language Policy in Indonesian Elementary Schools: Balancing National, Local, and Foreign Languages. Huele: Journal Of Applied Linguistics, Literature And Culture, 5(1), 52–57. Https://Doi.Org/10.30598/Huele. V5.I1.P52-57
May, S., Hill, R., & Tiakiwai, S. (2004). Bilingual/Immersion Education: Indicators Of Good Practice Final Report To The Ministry Of Education (1st Ed.). Ministry of Education.
Miles, M. B., M., H. A., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis: A Methods Sourcebook (3rd Ed.) (3rd Ed.). Ca: Sage Publications.
Mujahidah, U., Said, R., Ramadhan, A. R., & Haidar, A. (2025). Jurnal Al-Fawa'id: Jurnal Agama Dan Bahasa Challenges In Arabic Reading Proficiency: An Evaluation Of Teaching Methods And Student Motivation At Mts Miftahul Khair Hartaco. Jurnal Al-Fawa'id: Jurnal Agama Dan Bahasa, 15(1), 47–65.
Mustafawi, E., Shaaban, K., Khwaileh, T., & Ata, K. (2022). Perceptions And Attitudes Of Qatar University Students Regarding The Utility Of Arabic And English. In Language Policy (Vol. 21, Issue 1). Springer Netherlands. Https://Doi.Org/10.1007/S10993-021-09590-4
Muttaqin, S., Rohmah, Z., & Junining, E. (2025). International Journal Of Educational Research Open Modelling An English Learning Community Of Practice (Cop) To Promote Bilingualism. International Journal Of Educational Research Open, 9(September), 100521. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Ijedro.2025.100521
Nashruddin, W., Gazali, E., Mahdi, R., & Muhammad, H. N. (2025). Integrating English, Arabic, ICT Skills, and Tahfidz in an Islamic School Curriculum: An Intercultural Perspective. Dinamika Ilmu: Journal Of Education Jurnal Pendidikan, 25(June), 1–22.
Nugraha, E., Prima Gusti Yanti, & Wini Tarmini. (2024). The Position Of The Indonesian Language In The Spk School Language Policy Document: A Case Study Of International Curriculum Schools. Jurnal Sastra Indonesia, 13(2), 184–192. Https://Doi.Org/10.15294/K8jxeb09
Permana, P. G. A. M., & Rohmah, Z. (2024). Contemporary Translingual English Language Policy and Practice in Indonesia. Cogent Education, 11(1). Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/2331186x.2024.2404059
Ritonga, A. W., Bahruddin, U., Abdullah, M. Y., & Desrani, A. (2025). Lisanan Arabiya: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Arab Scientometrics Of Language Policy In Sustaining Arabic Learning In Indonesia. Lisanan Arabiya: Jurnal Pendidikan Bahasa Arab, 09(01), 2–6.
Samin, S. M., Pebrian, R., & Supriady, H. (2025). Al-Ta' Rib Strengthening Arabic Language Learning Through Language Environment: A Case Study in Pesantren Riau. Al-Ta’rib Jurnal Ilmiah Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Arab Iain Palangka Raya, 13(2), 479–494.
Setyabudi, T. (2022). Language Policy in Indonesia. Iseth Journal, 157–168.
Shidiq, F. M., Al-Haqiqy, M. S. I., Triwibowo, M., & Mustofa, S. (2023). Exploring the Position and Role of Arabic in Indonesian Society: A Descriptive Analysis. Al-Ta’rib Jurnal Ilmiah Program Studi Pendidikan Bahasa Arab, 11(2), 275–292.
Subhan, U. M., As-Sunniyah, U. A., Subhan, R., Islam, U., Kiai, N., Achmad, H., Jember, S., Jember, K., Timur, J., & Indonesia, I. (2025). An Ideology Of Minister Of Religion's Speech In Social Media (TikTok And YouTube): ): A Critical. 11(1), 30–39.
Sugiyono. (2019). Metode Penelitian Pendidikan Pendekatan Kuantitatif, Kualitatif, Dan R&D (21st Ed.). Alfabeta.
Suleiman, Y. (2003). The Arabic Language and National Identity: A Study in Ideology. Edinburgh University.
Tajik, O., Golzar, J., & Noor, S. (2024). Purposive Sampling. International Journal Of Education & Language Studies, 2(November), 1–9.
Umroh, I. L., & Ni'mah, K. (2024). Arabic Language And Literature As A Mirror Of The Intellectual Concept In Arabs. Alsuniyat: Jurnal Penelitian Bahasa, Sastra, Dan Budaya Arab, 7(1). Https://Doi. Org/Https://Doi.Org/10.17509/Alsuniyat.V7i1.67689
Warren, C. V., & Bell, R. (2022). The Role Of Context In Qualitative Case Study Research: Understanding Service Innovation. In Sage Research Methods Cases (Pp. 7–10). Sage Publications, Ltd.
Widodo, A. (2025). The Contributions Of The Arabic Language To Islamic Studies. Annusfy: Journal Of Multidisciplinary Research, 1(5), 351–365.
Xu, Z., Wang, Y., & Qian, Y. (2025). The Design And Application Of In-Depth Interviews In Primary Care Research. Chinese General Practice Journal, 2(2), 100062. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Cgpj.2025.100062
Yunanto, F. (2025). Language Politics In The Curriculum: A Critical Discourse Analysis Of The Representation Of Local Identity In Indonesian Primary School Text Books. Educational : Jurnal Inovasi Pendidikan & Pengajaran, 5(2), 572–582.
Zein, S., Sukyadi, D., Hamied, F. A., & Lengkanawati, N. S. (2020). English Language Education In Indonesia : A Review Of. Language Teaching, 1(1), 1–33. Https://Doi
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Abdullah Kafabih, Nuskhan Abid
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See the Effect of Open Access)
