Purposes and Techniques of Persian Language Learning by Nonnative Speakers in Afghanistan: A Case Study of Takhar Province

Abstract

The study investigated the purposes and techniques of learning the Persian language by nonnative speakers, its use in social settings, and learners’ motivation to highlight the necessity of planning a school-based learning curriculum, teaching methods, and providing its learning course materials in the country. A questionnaire with 30 items was used to collect data from 200 respondents from Taloqan city a northern city in Afghanistan. Participants were selected from university lecturers, school teachers, administrative staff, and businessmen who work in the exchange market. SPSS version 25.0 was used in data analysis. Descriptive statistics were used in data analysis. The results show that non-Persian speakers learn this language to use it in school education, academic studies, administrative affairs, and the business market. The Persian language plays a great role in Afghan people’s lives, as different linguistic groups learn it to use in the fields of education, official works, social communications, cultural behavior, media, and business activities. Learners mostly learn Persian in their childhood and teenage years using traditional techniques in informal environments and natural settings, as they learn it through their social interactions in school and open contexts and there is no systematic and purposive program for teaching and learning Persian. The of the study sows that Persian teachers and university lecturers have a big responsibility to  do researches regarding the subject and academic institutes are asked to make policies and plans to provide teaching techniques and course materials for Persian language learners.