Exploring Students' Usage Patterns of the Arabic Language in International Schools and Parental Perceptions of Arabic Language Importance
Reia Alblaihi

Abstract
This qualitative study focuses on investigating the Arabic language usage patterns among students enrolled in international schools and assessing parental attitudes towards the importance of the Arabic language. Two surveys and interviews were utilized, with the study sample selected using simple random sampling. Descriptive analysis was employed to examine responses and extract findings. The results indicate that most students prefer using English in their activities, with weaknesses observed in Arabic reading and writing skills due to vocabulary difficulty, grammatical structure, and insufficient training in these skills at school. Parental attitudes lean towards prioritizing English over Arabic, prompting the recommendation to enhance awareness among both parents and students regarding the importance of Arabic language proficiency. This proficiency is crucial for preserving national unity and the cultural identity of future generations, as language is an integral part of national identity. Once a lingua franca surpasses 50% usage, it rapidly achieves complete dominance within a single generation or less. This leads to a decline in cultural continuity and social cohesion.

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