Loading ...Arabic language education pivotal to US students’ futures
By Mouna Mana, Ph.D.
December 18 marks World Arabic Day. Established by UNESCO in 2010 on the anniversary of Arabic’s establishment as an official language of the UN, the day celebrates the culture and people who speak it. Arabic is spoken by over 400 million people worldwide – and nearly one million Americans speak Arabic at home – the fastest growing second language in the United States.
World Arabic Day comes at a time when many see Arabic and Arab culture at odds with American culture and values – something that could not be further from the truth. What we do know is that the language barrier contributed to misconceptions. The teaching and learning of Arabic language in U.S. schools can grow understanding and tolerance.
Arabic is more than a language – it connects the cultures, economies, and realities of at least twenty countries in a region spanning two continents with economies and societies sitting at center stage in world affairs today. Teaching and learning Arabic strengthens the U.S. politically, culturally, and economically. It has been estimated that over the next five years alone job growth in the Middle East will exceed job growth in the West. Arabic matters for our nation and our children to stay competitive.
Students who study Arabic go on to use the language in careers in business, journalism, diplomacy and humanitarian aid, national security, medicine, law, public health, education, architecture, marketing, the creative industries, and in pursuing higher education such as Ph.D.’s in the humanities and social sciences. Last year, through Qatar Foundation International (QFI), a group of U.S. students learning Arabic participated in shaping discourse on topics of serious social and political importance at the Qatar Debates in Doha, Qatar. With experiences such as these, students gain language and culture skills that help them shape opinions, win hearts and minds, and go on to greater success in the future.
At present, European and Asian countries are teaching their students world languages – including Arabic – much earlier and at higher rates. The result is that they possess a significantly more competitive edge. It is time to seriously question if we as a country can afford to ignore this gap any longer.
Many protest the teaching of Arabic using arguments based in fear. On this World Arabic Day, no one should fear Arabic. Fear instead for the economic and cultural prospects of American students – will they find success in a globalizing world or will they be left behind?
Let’s use today to call for action. Help start an Arabic program in your community, seek a federal STARTALK funded summer language program, support local Arabic teachers with resources, talk with policymakers, apply for a NSLI-Y grant for Arabic study abroad, check out the Arabic advocacy project site iSpeakArabic.com, reach out to organizations supporting Arabic language instruction, such as QFI, and inquire about ways you can help build educational programs, learn or even teach Arabic to students in your community.
Happy World Arabic Day!
Source: thehill.com