It is interesting for me to see how many schools have added or tried to
add Arabic. We are in our first year, having added it in grade 8 (when
Spanish instruction also begins in our K-12 school) and we will add one
grade each year until we have an 8-12 program. Our school is small with
only 40-60 students per grade but we have 19 8th graders enrolled in
Arabic this year. Keep in mind that all of our students study Hebrew
language (K-12) and the similar word roots allow for our kids to have have
a bit of a head start with Arabic.
The teacher choice is, of course, critical because the program will be
their's. Kids who love the teacher will stay. Kids who don't might not
stick it out. We have been lucky to find Ibrahm Miari, an Israeli Arab who
is fluent in English, Hebrew and Arabic and an experienced language
teacher. As he is a graduate student in Theater, you can imagine he
understands 8th graders and how they learn best.
You can reach him at imiari@gmail.com to find out more.
Ken Weinstein
General Studies Principal
Maimonides Middle & Upper School
617.232.4452 x118
www.maimonides.org
A forum for independent school educators <ISED-L@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU> on
November 19, 2009 at 1:00 AM -0500 wrote:
>Date: Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:09:44 -0500
>From: Don Berger <Don_Berger@caryacademy.org>
>Subject: Arabic Progams?
>
>We are exploring beginning an Arabic program. Does anyone know of
>independe=
>nt schools other than Andover, Deerfield and Roland Park that currently
>tea=
>ch 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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