Teaching Rhetoric in Tunisia: Problems and Objectives

Abstract

This research deals with the teaching of rhetoric in Tunisia, because of its importance in enabling the learners to understand, criticize, and create texts.
The research is divided into three parts. The first addresses the theoretical and practical aspects of teaching rhetoric in the light of several educational concepts. The second part deals with the problematic aspects of the issue. The third is dedicated to the desired objectives.
This research was prompted by the learners’ inability to grasp texts, and their low rhetorical competencies. This hinders their ability to understand, criticize, and create texts.
The research concludes that without textual practice, the teaching of rhetoric is superficial. Moreover, teaching rhetoric is the guarantee to transform the teaching of Arabic from quantitative to qualitative state. It also equips learners with the ability to systematically develop attitudes, and form opinions, vis-à-vis the many discourses in society, especially those of hate and extremism.