Components of Teaching and Learning Arabic for Specific Purposes (ASP) to Non-Native Speakers in Light of the Concepts of Linguistic Economy and Investment

Abstract

This research paper seeks to provide a systematic and contemporary vision for Arabic for Specific Purposes (ASP) programs, grounded in the philosophical and procedural pillars of "Linguistic Economy" and "Linguistic Investment" as conceptual and practical frameworks. The research problem stems from the urgent need to enhance the efficiency of educational programs directed toward foreign professionals (physicians, engineers, legal experts, diplomats, etc.) by minimizing temporal, financial, and cognitive waste. It aims to transform language from a mere academic subject into an "investment asset" that achieves a competitive advantage for both the learner and the institution.

The paper adopts a thematic structure distributed across five main axes: The first reviews the fundamental principles and concepts governing economy and investment in Arabic language education. The second axis addresses the methodological components, analyzing the mechanisms of designing specialized curricula based on "professional frequency" and utilitarian feasibility. The third axis deconstructs the human components by redefining the teacher's role as an "investment manager" and the learner's role as a "knowledge investor." The fourth axis is dedicated to elucidating environmental and technical components, highlighting the role of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in reducing learning costs and automating educational pathways. The research concludes with a fifth axis that outlines a future vision for a pioneering Arabic language teaching industry that achieves sustainable development for both the learner and the institution.

 Key Findings:

-       Activating the "components" of linguistic economy ensures narrowing the gap between educational outcomes and professional labor market needs.

-       Shifting from a "linguistic consumption" logic to "linguistic investment" enhances the competitive value of the Arabic language as a tool for global professional empowerment.

-       Modern technologies and smart environments represent the cornerstone in reducing cognitive and material costs for specialized programs.

Recommendations:

 The paper recommends the necessity of "governing" Arabic language teaching centers, developing specialized linguistic corpora, adopting professional proficiency tests that measure job performance, and training human resources on modern linguistic management strategies to ensure the sustainability of this knowledge investment