RIYADH – An extensive survey about the methods and challenges of teaching Arabic has identified a decline in the level of proficiency in the language among Arab communities. It also reveals that the quality of curricula across the different levels of education is lower than expected, and that the performance of Arabic teachers is inadequate due to a lack of sufficient training, especially in using technology and modern communication tools. The report by the UAE's Commission for the Modernization of Teaching Arabic makes several key recommendations to modernize Arabic teaching methods in schools and other educational institutions. Receiving the report Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, emphasized on Monday the importance of preserving the Arabic language, stating that nurturing and strengthening it is a national responsibility. “Arabic will always be spoken and respected since it is the language of the Holy Qur'an and of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Its long history also reflects our culture and civilization, and we should strive to develop specific methods and techniques to teach it, in line with our efforts to improve education standards in general,” he said. — SG
