Investigating the effectiveness of english for specific purposes instructional content for da’wah among islamic studies students

Abstract

This study represents the third phase of a Design and Development Research project, focusing on the assessment phase. The primary research objective is to investigate the effectiveness of an English for Specific Purposes Da’wah Instructional Content (EPIC) designed and developed for Islamic Studies students. To achieve this objective, the study addresses the following research question: To what extent is EPIC effective in enhancing English language skills for specific Da’wah purposes among Islamic Studies students?  There is scarce information concerning the effectiveness of these modules, especially in Da’wah-oriented English instruction for students of Islamic studies.  If left to rule unchecked, the occurrence of unsystematically verified ESP instructional materials for Islamic Studies (or da’wah per se) will continue to flood the market, and untested content in terms of its practicality, usefulness, and effectiveness in providing the right ESP for the da’wah learning experience to the targeted audiences will prolong.  The study integrates Cunningsworth’s Textbook Evaluation Checklist, and Brian Tomlinson's Teaching Material Development Principles to guide the evaluation of EPIC’s practicality and effectiveness. Mixed methods were used to gather data.  The participants in this study were students in Islamic Studies programs at a private Malaysian Islamic university. 12 students volunteered to participate in the study to assess the effectiveness of EPIC using a comprehensive questionnaire.  The results show a notable improvement in public speaking skills and a generally positive perception of EPIC materials among Islamic Studies students effectively improved their language skills, enhanced their understanding of Islamic concepts, and provided relevant, engaging content for their studies.  Recommendations are made to improve its usability and alignment with ESP practitioners’ for da’wah real-world needs.