DUBAI // Hundreds of Arabic teachers have taken part in workshops and training sessions aimed at improving the quality of teaching in Dubai.
Organised by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority at Foremarke School, the Living Arabic event brought together 500 teachers from 110 private schools.
The event saw the launch of the Arabic learning incubator, which will include a range of programmes to improve standards.
“The Arabic learning incubator will allow teachers to benefit from latest innovations in teaching and learning Arabic,” said Fatma Al Marri, chief executive of Dubai Schools Agency.
“Bringing together innovative entrepreneurs and teachers will help us boost efforts to improve Arabic learning outcomes.”
Teachers at the event learnt new working methods and best practice and took part in a series of sessions looking at innovation in Arabic teaching.
The KHDA will work with schools to assess needs and look at how best to align future technology to best meet the requirements of pupils, said Ms Al Marri.
“We don’t know how the world will look in the future but it is our responsibility to empower students with life skills that can help them integrate with society and become valuable citizens in an increasingly globalised era,” said Naomi Williams, headmistress of Foremarke School, in Al Barsha South.
Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al Qasimi, chairman of the Department of Government Relations in Sharjah, said during his keynote address how important learning Arabic had been to him.
“I did not speak Arabic in the early years of my life but, as I grew older, I consistently made an effort to teach myself Arabic and it took me four years to become fluent,” he said.
He urged parents to encourage their children to speak Arabic and practice their learning at home and around family.
nhanif@thenational.ae
