ABSTRACT
This article argues for the replication of the diglossic situation of Arabic in the Arabic as a foreign language (AFL) classroom by integrating the teaching of Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and a regional vernacular. The purpose of this integration is for the learner to achieve authentic communicative competence. Suggestions for integrating the two language varieties are made. These include the matching of language skills with language varieties and the use of Community Language Learning for practicing the regional variety. Problems of language interference and language testing which may result from this approach to teaching AFL are also discussed.
