Enhancing Arabic listening skills through spotify podcasts: A behaviorist approach

The transformation of Arabic language learning in the digital era requires innovative media suited to modern university students. One crucial yet underdeveloped skill is mahārah istimā’ (listening), which needs appropriate methods and technology-based media. This study explores the use of Spotify podcasts as a learning tool for mahārah istimā’, based on behaviorism principles, and analyzes its effectiveness in improving listening skills among students in the Arabic Language Education Program at Universitas Hasyim Asy’ari Tebuireng Jombang. Using the Research and Development (R&D) method with the ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation), the study finds that the media follows behavioristic steps: pre-listening (introducing vocabulary), while listening (reinforcement through repetition), and post-listening (exercises for reinforcement). Evaluation through pretests, posttests, and validation questionnaires showed a significance value of 0.000 (< 0.05), with media validation at 87.66%. The results confirm that Spotify podcasts are effective, valid, and adaptive tools for enhancing Arabic listening skills.