As every teacher knows, a classroom full of children is a tough audience, quick to dismiss as boring any subject presented in a style that doesn’t instantly seize their imagination. So far, so universal. But when that subject is Arabic and its teaching is failing to engage pupils in one of the world’s leading Arabic countries, the government is right to step in and shake things up.
Having identified old-fashioned teaching methods as a barrier to students, the Ministry of Education has thrown open the debate to parents and pupils, seeking their views on how Arabic could be better taught.
New digital methods, designed to promote everyday use of the language in a manner familiar to today's screen-savvy children, will doubtless help to bring lessons to life.
This is a step in the right direction, and one that needs to be taken on an urgent basis in order to arrest the decline in pupils’ enthusiasm to learn the language. Last year’s Arab Youth Survey found that 68 per cent of young Gulf Arabs spoke more English than Arabic on a daily basis.
This is not surprising given the influence of Hollywood movies, western popular music and video games – all of which have English as their medium of expression.
Keeping Arabic alive is about far more than merely paying lip service to an ancient language. Certainly, it is the expressive and poetic key to a centuries-old tradition of literature and culture. But Arabic is also a vibrant and relevant modern language, with a rich multitude of dialects and no shortage of outstanding contemporary writing, as the International Prize for Arabic Fiction attests annually.
Already one of the six official languages of the United Nations, Arabic is increasingly coming into its own. There are as many native Arabic speakers worldwide as there are English. Yet few foreign residents in the UAE and beyond make an effort to learn how to communicate in Arabic, a habit that could change if learning was made easier and more appealing.
Rooted in the past, Arabic speaks to the future and is the bridge between the two. With the determined backing of the government and the support of schools, teachers and parents, we can all play a part in ensuring Arabic enjoys a long-awaited renaissance.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Draw:
Group A: Egypt, DR Congo, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Group B: Nigeria, Guinea, Madagascar, Burundi
Group C: Senegal, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania
Group D: Morocco, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Namibia
Group E: Tunisia, Mali, Mauritania, Angola
Group F: Cameroon, Ghana, Benin, Guinea-Bissau
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
