> We are exploring beginning an Arabic program. Does anyone know of independent schools other than Andover, Deerfield and Roland Park that currently teach Arabic. I'm particularly interested in middle schools. Thank you,
> Don
>
> Don Berger
> Head of School
> Cary Academy
> www.caryacademy.org
> 919-677-3873
> A Learning Community Committed to Discovery, Innovation, Collaboration and Excellence
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An Arabic as second language teacher myself- trained at Georgetown U.
Arab Studies, an excellent teaching resource center-- I would like to
emphasize that finding the right teacher--not the difficulty of Arabic
per se- -is the greatest obstacle for middle schools.
Why? Because Arabic as a Second Language pedagogy differs considerably
from they way traditional Arabic teachers from the region approach the
language. Hence for the hiring institution, a tension arises between
hiring a native speaker and one who can clearly elucidate the language
for students.
Only the State Dept. training generates teachers can consistently
bridge the gap: they are native speakers specially trained to teach with
techniques recognizable to students here in the U.S.
Note that Arabic cultural centers all over the U.S. similarly struggle
to find appropriate individuals to help keep the written language alive
among our Arab-American children.
Alison McGandy
Suffolk U. /Boston
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