Arabic-L:PEDA:Arabic in US High Schools responses
Dilworth Parkinson
dilworth_parkinson at BYU.EDU
Mon Jan 2 18:35:16 UTC 2006
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1) Subject:Arabic in US High Schools response
2) Subject:Arabic in US High Schools response
3) Subject:Arabic in US High Schools response
4) Subject:Arabic in US High Schools response
5) Subject:Arabic in US High Schools response
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1)
Date: 02 Jan 2006
From:AyoubyK at dearborn.k12.mi.us
Subject:Arabic in US High Schools response
TaHiyyaat,
Arabic is taught as AFL in two Dearborn (Michigan) high schools and
at some middle schools, while there is an elementary level (bilingual
Arabic/Enlgish program, called, "yalla").
The problem of teaching at the high school (or any public school for
that matter) is not only a one of desire on the part of local school
boards/administrations to include it in their foreign language
programming, but also it is an issue of competence--especially now.
Now more than ever, under the requirements of "No Child Left Behind
Act", teachers must possess high proficiency in their taught fields.
Thus, not only teachers must be certified (i.e., licensed to teach in
their area of specialty), but now must show high level of competence.
Of course, there aren't any AFL programs in the country that are
preparing teachers--(with the exception of Dr. Mahdi AlOsh's work at
OSU, but I don't know if there is any new developments on that front.)
In Michigan, I have been working with a small group to get Arabic
noticed at the State Board of Education level. In deed, I have some
good news.
The small ad hoc committee will soon be expanded to include whom ever
wishes to be identified with the cause of Arabic in the public
schools, and will be working on a plan to present to the State Board
of Education to add Arabic as a certificatable language in Michigan
(which, then, will be the impetus/motivation for Arabic language
departments in our state (we hope) to focus on preparing teachers in
colloboration with schools/colleges of education, usually the
competent authorities (in conjuction with the state department of
education) to recommend certification.
This past week, I was part of a national panel that conducted an
"Objectives Review" for formulating testing standards for the
certification of world language teachers. This was part of a
collaborative effort between my state and a national stadards testing
company that creates standarized tests for the above purpose
throughout the country. Competence in Arabic (and other LCTLs) along
with the usually taught languages will be tested in prospective
teachers before being certified in Michigan in accordance with ACTFL
standards, (thus, if Arabic ACTFL standards need to be reconsidered
as one posting suggested, it is time to do so now). The testing
formulation is in process right now and will be completed with in a
year to 18 months. At any rate, teachers in Michigan soon will be
tested (in accordance with new standards) in content area (the Five
Skills) as well as in pedagogy.
It is highly important that AFL professionals and departments start
thinking more (in terms of research, curriculum development, etc. )
about Arabic pedagogy. And, I do mean pedagogy, not adult education,
which is what most programming is geared to, e.g., al-kitab, EMSA,
Ahalan wa Sahlan, etc.
I do hope this information will motivate some to work in that direction.
Alf Salaam,
Kenneth
********************************************************
Kenneth K. Ayouby, DEd, CALJ
Student Services Liaison/Hearing Officer
Executive Editor, The Dearborn Educator
Department of Special Programs & Student Services
Administrative Service Center
Dearborn Public Schools
18700 Audette St.
Dearborn, MI 48126
Telephone: (313)-827-3005
Fax: (313)-827-3133
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2)
Date: 02 Jan 2006
From:raram at umich.edu
Subject:Arabic in US High Schools response
I was told by the Michigan Department of Education that Arabic is taught
in about 20 public schools and more than 25 charter, Islamic and Arab
Community schools.
Raji Rammuny
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3)
Date: 02 Jan 2006
From:nhedayet at yahoo.com
Subject:Arabic in US High Schools response
Michael I only know about private accredited schools in California in
particular where I was training the AFL teachers and helping in
designing the curriculum for two years. There are more than 12
schools with more than 40 teachers in LA, Santa Monica, Irvine,
Passadina etc. Some of these teachers are ACTFL members now and are
participating in language conferences in the USA. I hope that
somebody is helping in this area in the public high schools.
Best regards,
Nagwa Hedayet
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4)
Date: 02 Jan 2006
From:eissa at comcast.net
Subject:Arabic in US High Schools response
The issue of Arabic in high schools is an interesting query. Thank
you Michael for raising it. Here is some information on some relevant
development.
Lately the interest in Arabic for grades K-12 has received great
attention. Arabic National Standard for K-16 has officially been
announced
in Baltimore (Nov. 20, 05) during ACTFL convention. A dedicated
website is
under construction for Arabic K-12 www.arabick12.org by the National
Capital
Language Resource Center www.nclrc.org
AATA is showing great enthusiasm to continue its support to those on
going efforts and to promote Arabic in K-12 levels. Dr. Jerry Lampe,
current
President of AATA, collaborated with NCLRC and invited K-12 teachers for
lunch during MESA. Representatives of K-12 teachers made presence in
AATA
sponsored panel in MESA and introduced themselves to the AATA members
attending the panel.
Along the theme of interest in Arabic at the pre-college level,
Concordia Language Villages http://clvweb.cord.edu/prweb/ has
announced the
official launching of its Arabic Village
http://clvweb.cord.edu/prweb/arabic/default.asp
I recommend checking out their website for further information.
The above events indicate how much interest Arabic is gaining
nationwide. It is expected that high schools will soon be hiring
qualified
teachers in response to the demand on learning Arabic.
Muhammad S. Eissa, Ph. D.
President, EISSA & ASSOCIATES, Inc.
Arabic and Islamic Consulting & Education
2020 Orrington Ave., Evanston, IL 60201
Ph. (847) 869-4775
Fax. (847) 869-4773
E.MAIL: eissa at comcast.net
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5)
Date: 02 Jan 2006
From:GSalib at aol.com
Subject:Arabic in US High Schools response
I teach Arabic in an American High Public School. The school is
offering Arabic this year for the first time.
Galila Salib
MA TAFL
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