Learning Arabic will be easier and more fun for non-Arab children following a change in the style of text books they use throughout schools in the UAE.
The move follows complaints from parents and teachers who said many non-Arab schoolchildren were facing difficulties in studying the language.
From next academic year, Arabic language books used by schoolchildren in private schools will be modernised, according to sources at the Ministry of Education and Youth.
Senior officials said that teaching methods are constantly changing and therefore the content of books must also change.
"The Curriculum and School Books Centre of the ministry has approved a change in the Arabic curriculum after receiving complaints from parents and teachers that the book is difficult to study and is old-fashioned," said the source from the Dubai Educational Zone.
"This step is taken to help the students learn Arabic and enjoy it."
The ministry also plans to reduce the number of teaching hours for the Arabic language for non-Arabs in private schools.
Samah, a Syrian teacher of Arabic at the English private school in Sharjah, said: "In spite of the fact that the ministry imposes an Arabic text book, we usually do not follow it because it is difficult for the children to understand."
Her words were echoed by Ibtisam, a Palestinian Arabic teacher for non-Arabs in an English-speaking private school in Dubai.
"We usually take some words or ideas and teach them to the children using the text book. But the children find it difficult to follow up on what they learn," she said, adding that few non-Arab students had been able to attain a high proficiency in Arabic.
Ahmed, who is also an Arabic teacher for non-Arabs in a private school in Dubai, said he has taught Arabic for a long time and believes that children can repeat what they hear, but cannot learn it properly unless it is written down in a way they can understand.
"There has long been a need for the ministry to change the content of the books. Up to now a lot of children and teachers have been wasting their time."
A woman whose two seven-year-old children used the text book said: "We noticed that very few of our children's friends could speak any Arabic words or phrases."
The children themselves confirmed that they had not had much success in learning Arabic. Imtiaz, a nine-year-old from India, said he had studied the language for three years, but speaks only a few words.
"I wish I could learn how to speak Arabic properly, but it is so difficult."
A new academic beginningThe Arabic language books in private schools will be modernised from next academic year.
The move follows complaints from teachers and parents that the existing text book is hard to follow for non-Arab children.
The ministry also plans to reduce the number of teaching hours for the Arabic language for non-Arabs in private schools.
It is a step taken to help students learn Arabic and enjoy it, said an official.
Gulf News
