UOWD announces intensive summer programs that teach Arabic in a cultural context

Dubai, May 9, 2009: Non-Arab residents in the UAE are increasingly taking up Arabic language courses with the goal of improving their employment prospects in the region and for more effective social integration.

The University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD) is one of the universities offering a host of Arabic language courses that introduce expatriates not only to spoken and written Arabic, but also to Arab culture and customs.

The University's Centre for Language and Culture (CLC) has just announced two intensive summer courses tailored to candidates who wish to study Arabic in an Arabian cultural context. Each four-week program includes lessons on Arabic language, visits to local places of interest and lectures on Arab culture and customs.

People of 43 different nationalities have so far taken the Arabic programs at UOWD. Among them are Americans, Canadians, Swedes, Brazilians, Germans, Koreans, Japanese, Russians, Spaniards, Kenyans, Latvians, Macedonians, French, Greek, Hungarians and Nigerians.

The number of non-Arabs taking up Arabic language programs has been rising steadily. According to UOWD figures, 236 took the courses in 2008. The university expects the number to rise significantly during 2009, due to increase in student numbers.

"While the Arabic language courses are available throughout the year, the summer vacation is an ideal time to learn the language," said Shanae' Reed, Head of CLC, UOWD. "Candidates joining this program are exposed to a variety of language and learning opportunities from which they can gain a broader understanding of the Arabic language and culture."

Besides the summer programs, UOWD conducts regular six-week Arabic language courses at Beginner and Elementary levels throughout the year. In addition, the university offers a pre-intermediate course in Arabic Language Culture and Customs to learn Arabic for every situation as well as an intermediate level Arabic Language Business and Pleasure program for learning Arabic in a business setting.

"As we have students of 108 nationalities, we strive to give them the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the local culture and achieve better social integration by learning the local language. Many candidates who seek employment in the Gulf after completing their studies, find that their career prospects improve dramatically when they display knowledge of Arabic language and culture," added Reed.

Information about the programs and enrolment procedures may be obtained by contacting CLCAdmin@uowdubai.ac.ae.

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About the University of Wollongong in Dubai
Established in 1993, UOWD was the first Australian university in Dubai to be licensed by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research. Located at Dubai Knowledge Village, it boasts 3,500 students from 108 different nationalities. It is part of one of Australia's best performing research institutions, the University of Wollongong, Australia.

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Anthony D'Silva,
Communicate Gulf
anthony@communicategulf.com.  
P.O. Box 52821,
Dubai,
UAE.
Tel. +97143525963,
Fax +97143525967,
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© Press Release 2009