1. What is your nationality?

Ukrainian.

2. Where do you live?

Ukraine, Pervomaisk.

3. What is your job?

Interpreter.

4. How many languages do you speak?

Ukrainian is my mother tongue, I also speak Russian and English. Now I am learning Arabic.

5. Why do you learn Arabic language?

This is a question I am being asked a lot and it is always hard for me to answer it, because I do not have any particular reasons such as learning Arabic for work, or moving to an Arabic speaking country or studying, etc. “As many languages you know, as many times you are a human being” was the quote I found when I was in school and only being able to speak Ukrainian and Russian. I think, that’s when I decided I am going to be a human being as many times as possible. At least 10 I thought. So, when I accidentally heard a song  قصاد عيني  by Egyptian singer Amr Diab I knew that was the language I want to speak some day. It is very important to me that I like how the language sounds. And me and Arabic just “clicked” together. My first steps into Arabic I made through its Egyptian dialect. That was while I already tried learning Polish and Italian. Learning the language by yourself is not the easiest thing, so when I was chosen to participate in Arabicollege project, I was very excited to begin.

6. Do you find it hard to learn Arabic?

Learning every new language is hard, especially while you’re still a beginner. I had my struggles with it as well, considering that my mother tongue is very different grammatically and pronunciation wise. Some sounds are still really hard for me to make but as we all know it all comes with practice. The things that seemed impossible for me in the very beginning are now less intimidating. I see the progress and it is very motivational.

7. How hard did you have to work to get this?

I am doing my best not to miss the classes and do all the home works. I don’t like to think of it as if I am working hard. I take it as an exciting journey which would bring me some day to certain result. It is a long process and the hardships are a part of it for sure. But if you truly enjoy the process, then you don’t really mind them.

8. Tell us about your experience at ArabiCollege

It was my first ever experience of taking a course online. And so far I am truly enjoying it. The teachers show great patience and understanding, the atmosphere of every class is very friendly but at the same time very professional. We share the same goal, which is mastering the language and we’re working for it.

9. How do you see eLearning compared to the traditional learning?

eLearning is a great opportunity to study when studying is not the major thing you do. It is very convenient to be able to have a class whenever you have the time for it. You can do it without any major changes to your life schedule. Now that I can compare, I can say that I’d rather study this way than go and attend the class in its traditional meaning.

10. What advice would you give to the learners of Arabic language?

First of all, be ready to dedicate some time and effort into it. Learning a new language is not a short process. Do not be disappointed if you do something wrong. In fact, the mistakes are a big part of learning. In my experience with learning English, I have focused on learning the grammar, I was doing a lot of exercises and I thought I was mastering the language. I was, in a way. But when it came to applying my knowledge in speaking I just couldn’t do it. With all my good vocabulary that I was accumulating for years I could not manage to make a proper sentence. So my second advice would be, try and start speaking from the very beginning. Don’t be intimidated to do it wrong, you are not a native speaker and nobody expects you to sound like one. In your learning be like a child that’s learning to walk, whenever you fall, stand up and keep moving. You will get there eventually.

Best of luck to all of you who is learning or is willing to learn.

1. What is your nationality?

I am Canadian

2. Where do you live?

I live in New Brunswick, Canada

3. What is your job?

I am a Commercial account manager

4. How many languages do you speak?

One and a little, for now, Inshallah

5. Why do you learn Arabic language?

To communicate with friends at our mosque and to one day read the Qu’ran in

Arabic

6. Do you find it hard to learn Arabic?

Yes, but my teachers helped me very much

7. How hard did you have to work to get this?

Very hard work. Lot’s of study

8. Tell us about your experience at ArabiCollege

Arabicollege treats its students with kindness and professionalism. Staff and

teachers treat you as friends. Learning becomes fun

9. How do you see eLearning compared to the traditional learning?

For me, e-learning is great for me. I receive one on one instruction from

teachers who understand how to build on my learning style. They make

learning fun

• What advice would you give to the learners of Arabic language?

Let the teachers guide you. They will work hard to help you reach your goals

1. What is your nationality?

Russian

2. Where do you live?

Russia, Tula city

3. What is your job?

Sells-manager in a jewelry company

4. How many languages do you speak?

Russian is my mother tongue. I also know English well and studying Arabic with Arabicollege.

5. Why do you learn Arabic language?

Because I want to  work with foreigners  people in the future, and I also like this language a lot, and find it very beautiful.

6. Do you find it hard to learn Arabic?

The Arabic language is the one or most difficult languages, but if you like it, and study often you will make good progress. It all depends on your desire.

7. How hard did you have to work to get this?

I have a goal and I want to achieve it. If I get to start something I have to finish it. I recommend you to write your goals on a paper like a to do list. Then achieving your goals will be easier.

8. Tell us about your experience at ArabiCollege

I am regularly attending classes like 3 times a week, and I like teachers, who teach me at these classes. I have learnt a lot of new words and grammar rules. And now I can use my skills with native speakers. This is a big motivation for me.

9. How do you see eLearning compared to the traditional learning?

Learning with Arabicollege is funny and interesting, and I am not bored at these classes. We discuss a lot of topics and I definitely, memorize more than if I will be attending classes the traditional way. And also I save my time because I can book and attend classes anytime.

• What advice would you give to the learners of Arabic language?

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, without making mistakes you will never learn. You should practice more with native speakers, and listen well to correct sounds. And of course, study you lessons well.

Watch students of the month for 2016

Where do you live?
I live in Skudai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

What is your job?
I am an executive at Malaysian Technology Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (MTDC)

How many languages do you speak?
I speak two languages, Bahasa Malaysia and English

Why do you learn Arabic language?

• Arabic is an official language of 28 states, the third most after English and French. It’s an advantage for international business and communication.
• Arabic language is a language of the Jannah and Al-Quran. I hope one day I can have more understanding each time I read the Verse of the Quran.
• Arabic is a language of knowledge especially if we would like to understand the religion of Islam. I was motivated by the hadith, “Whomsoever that Allah wishes for him goodness, He will make him a faqih (learned) in matters of the religion (Deen);”.

Do you find it hard to learn Arabic?
Yes, the language is challenging especially in understanding its grammar.

How hard did you have to work to get this?
I practice on my own after each session of the class, and I try to relate everything I learnt when I reciting the Quran.

Tell us about your experience at ArabiCollege
It’s interesting and fun, all the teachers are very committed and supportive in every session in order to make me understand. Besides the formal lesson given, they also willingly share about their culture and some other interesting topics during the session and I am very pleased with this.

How do you see eLearning compared to the traditional learning?
The advantage of this concept is we have a one to one session with the native Arabic speaker. All the lessons can be done almost anytime and everywhere which I feel it is very convenience since I am quite busy of my office chores.

What advice would you give to the learners of Arabic language?
The learner must have high determination and interest to learn the language itself. You have to build up self-interest and try to practice the language with your peers by any chance you have. Learning the language also keep our mind sharp because we have to memorize new vocabulary and understand the language.

Criteria for nomination: a teacher, an administrator, or a students care agent may nominate a student for Student of the Month based upon any or all of the following criteria:

• Attendance
• Outstanding grades in tests and home work.
• The four language skills improvement.
• Cooperation.
• learning curiosity

Award: Certificate of achievement.

*Only ArabiCollege active students can be nominated.

The country is divided on the matter. The ministry stated that

“There are above all historical and cultural reasons why Arabic must be learned, which have religious significance in Muslim countries. In addition to religious reasons, economic, tourism, political and commercial reasons make it imperative to learn Arabic.”

Opponents of the introduction of Arabic to the school curriculum note that the government aims to undo the alphabet revolution which introduced the latin alphabet in 1928. Veli Demir, chairman of the education union, told Al-Monitor that they will go to court to sue against violation of the constitution and revolutionary legislation.

Source: Al-Monitor

With more and more developing countries having high speed access to the internet and joining the mobile revolution, Arabic in particular has benefited from the trend and seen a sharp increase in use on the net.

In fact, the number of Arabic speaking users on the web has grown by 2500% over the past decade, making it the fastest growing language on the Internet. The number of Arab-Americans has grown 51% since the 2000s, reports Pew research citing numbers from the census bureau. However, the Arab American Research Foundation estimates the number to be even higher stating some 3.7 million people living in the country.

Being a website dedicated to language learning on the Internet and looking at the numbers we were curious to learn more. Thus we sat down with Mohamed Bamatraf whose company ArabiCollege teaches students from around the world about the Arabic language and culture online.

Arabic is dying out, that’s the story we’ve been told for decades now. Not so, according to ArabiCollege, the leading online school based in Dubai, UAE, that teaches Arabic language & Culture courses through interactive, one to one, live classes with native Arabic teachers around 24/7.

ArabiCollege has been working with companies, hotels, schools, and banks in the UAE for years and sees increased global demand for its courses with expats from around the world working in the UAE, other Gulf countries, looking to better understand the language and culture of the region.

Since opening a new office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in March 2015, ArabiCollege has been teaching more than 2000 learners from renowned institutions including Malaysia Technology Development corporation, University of Malaya, Brunei Syariah High Court as well as other schools, universities and hotels in Malaysia and Brunei.

“Arabic has become a real talking point not only in the Gulf countries where there are millions of expats wanting to make their lives easier by learning the language and understanding the culture of their new home country.

But also people living in Asia and even Western nations are increasingly interested to learn the language for several reasons such as the number of emerging high growth markets that speak Arabic, cultural, educational and diplomatic factors. It eases the work and communication between these Asian and Western nations and their Arabic speaking partners”,

said Mohamed Bamatraf, who founded ArabiCollege in the UAE in 2007.

“We understand that language is not a ‘one size fits all’, which is why we have a portfolio of teachers offering different learning styles. Our learners have the freedom and choice to select the teacher that best meets their needs,”

added Mohamed.

“Our classes are available round-the clock, so even if you want to master the basics of Arabic at 3am on a Saturday, you can log on and find a teacher to help you.

In our survey the majority of learners stated that they chose ArabiCollege because we are available 24/7, we offer one to one interactive lessons, and we are affordable.”

ArabiCollege has more than 10,000 learners across the Gulf Countries, from India, and different Western countries including the US and the UK.

Besides signing up for lessons in listening, speaking, reading and writing, learners are given every opportunity to master Arabic outside the virtual classroom, in writing contests, blogs and forum discussions.

ArabiCollege is looking to have more than 20,000 learners by the end of 2016 due to the fast growth the company is seeing. Right now ArabiCollege focuses on B2B but also welcome the individuals from around the globe. Learners can easily sign up for a free trial, select the course that they wish to study and start booking live classes, available 24/7. Learners then meet highly qualified native teachers in a one-on-one live classroom environment, and start their Arabic language learning experience.

Learners are free to choose the time, and also the teacher they like the most. Besides the live classroom, the premium account gives the learner access to “The Café”, where learners practice conversational skills with teachers and other peers talking in free conversations with no need of prior booking.

“You’ve got nothing to lose, but with all our courses leading to a certificate that’s accredited by one of ArabiCollege’s academic partners, there’s everything to gain.”

added Mohamed.

The fastest growing language in the U.S. among roughly 63.2 million residents who do not speak English is Arabic, the Census Bureau’s 2014 American Community Survey, or ACS, concluded.

The findings were released Monday.

“Immigration is not just an economic issue. English as our common language is part of the glue that holds our country together,” Steve Camarota, the report’s author, told Breitbart News on Monday. “These numbers suggest that the levels of immigration are so high that it may strain that. After the last great wave of immigration more than a century ago, the level of immigration was reduced and remained low for half a century, which helped with assimilation. With no pause in immigration levels in sight, the nation is headed into uncharted territory.”

The report shines a spotlight on the sluggish assimilation rate of immigrants over the last five decades. More than one-in-five speak a language other than English when at home. To put that into perspective, the U.S. is now the second largest Spanish-speaking country in the world.

“House of War: Islam’s Jihad Against the World” conveys what the West needs to know about Islam and the violent, expansionary ideology that seeks the subjugation and destruction of other faiths, cultures and systems of government

Government data obtained by the Associated Press on Tuesday indicates Obama’s immigration policy is exacerbating the problem.

The past 12 months has seen the lowest number of deportations, 231,000, since 2006, AP reported. That number does not include approximately 136,700 convicted criminals deported in the last 12 months.

“With the resources we have … I’m interested in focusing on criminals and recent illegal arrivals at the border,” Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson told Congress in April.

Some other findings from the the Census Bureau’s report include:

Arabic and Urdu (Pakistan’s national language) accounted for the largest percentage increases from 2010 to 2014.
The number of foreign language speakers since 1990 has roughly doubled; the number has almost tripled since 1980.
25.6 million (41 percent) of those who speak a foreign language at home said they speak English less than very well.
39.3 million U.S. residents speak Spanish; 3.1 million speak Chinese; 1.1 million speak Arabic.

Roughly 280,000 Muslim migrants now come to the U.S. each year as permanently resettled immigrants, guest workers, refugees and foreign students, Breitbart reported.

The Obama administration plans to accept 85,000 Syrian refugees into the U.S. over the next 12 months, and to increase that number to 100,000 by 2017.

The Department of Homeland Security estimates there are 11.5 million illegal immigrants in the U.S.

Read more at http://www.wnd.com/2015/10/arabic-fastest-growing-language-in-u-s/#Ddp8srP7ImrQ5tDe.99

It follows then, that most first-year language classes begin with simple interaction phrases such as “my favorite TV show is” and basic cultural information. Chapter one of Stanford’s Spanish textbook Protagonistas teaches “where are you from?” and asks students to identify photos of paella, Salma Hayek and Santiago de Chile. Language, as is said, is a window into culture.

But not all windows are created equal. Chapter one of Stanford’s Arabic textbook al-Kitaab teaches students the phrase “Who wants to work at the United Nations?” In chapter two, students learn “translator, employee” and how to write the names of academic institutes like “Australian National University, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies.” Chapter three’s vocabulary list contains “army” and “officer.” Chapter seven: “Who would like to work for the State Department? Why?” Colors didn’t make it in the book. The verb “to think” doesn’t appear until the final chapter.

There are some cultural points woven in — students learn about kebab and “the Arab family,” and individual teachers go above and beyond the textbook to humanize the language. The Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies hosts events in Arabic that feature contemporary artists, writers and public intellectuals. But these are extra opportunities. The standard still emphasizes diplomatic and academic competencies. As a student of Arabic myself, I wonder for which “interactions” and “issues of mutual concern” I am prepared. I’m afraid I’ll get to the Middle East and only remember “so, how ’bout them United Nations?” It was our first lesson, after all.

rabic learning’s political emphasis is not unique to Stanford. Nearly every universityin the English-speaking world uses the aforementioned textbook, al-Kitaab — a textbook that responds to American relations with the Middle East.

Mahmoud al-Batal, one of the textbook’s authors, writes in the Modern Language Journal that “the post-9/11 era represents the Sputnik Moment for Arabic” — that is, an “era of increased national attention to Arabic as a language vital to national interest and security.” During the original Sputnik Moment, American students learning the Russian language became part of the Cold War strategy. Likewise, American students learning Arabic have become a part of the War on Terror.

Arabic language’s “moment” is being funded in a joint effort by the Departments ofDefense, State and Education, which have established various federal programs aimed at teaching college students Arabic and other critical languages. The al-Kitaabtextbook was funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (an independent federal agency). Increased funding has seen increased student enrollment. According to the most recent study of its type from the Modern Language Association, American student enrollment in Arabic increased by 126.5 percent from 2002 to 2006 and then an additional 46.3 percent between 2006 and 2009.

So perhaps the question is not why we study language, but rather, whom and what does language education serve? What gets taught is not agenda-free nor politically neutral. The way we learn Arabic reveals more about our own, American political climate than about Arab culture. I will keep this in mind as I move through my Arabic education and continue to seek opportunities to see Arabic (and by extension, Arabic speakers) beyond chapter two’s “translators” and “employees.” If language is really a window into a culture, we must expand the current frame to see the full picture.

Madeleine Chang

 Source : http://www.stanforddaily.com/2015/09/30/me-kk-the-politicization-of-learning-arabic/