To make use of smart technologies in Arabic

Lughati, the Sharjah-based initiative dedicated to supporting Arabic learning the smart way, has launched a series of training workshopsdesigned for first-grade Arabic language teachers in Sharjah’s public schools.

The first workshop took place at the University of Sharjah – Khorfakkancampuswith46teachers, school principals and resource room teachers who received training on how touse smart tablets and the preinstalled applications and programmeswhich come with them, specially designed for the teaching staff. A group ofhighly experienced and qualified instructors from theeducation sector, who specialise in teacher training, coaching and technologyconducted the workshops.

Badria Al Ali, Manager of Lughati initiative, said, “The training workshops are aimed at integratingthe latest technologies into education, while employing applications and smart educational programmes to support the Arabic language national curriculum. The workshops will encourage Arabic language teachers to incorporate the latest methods and programmes into their teaching plans, and help them create the appropriate educationalenvironment for creativity and innovation usingthe Arabic language.”

“We aim to reach all first-grade Arabic language teachers in Sharjah’s public schools. Training teachers to use smart devices and methods in teaching Arabic will encourage students to learn and use proper Arabic from an early age, and to adopt it in their daily lives and their future education. The training workshops will also contribute to improvingthe teaching and learning processes in the emirate in general,” Al Ali added. 

The second phase of Lughati initiative was completed successfully in May 2016 with an estimated budget of AED 15.5 million,where the initiative successfully distributed smart tablets to almost2,977 first-grade students and 129 teachers in 49 public schools in Sharjah. By the completion of all phases, the initiative expects to havedistributed smart tablets to 25,000 students and 1,000 teachers in various grade levels in Sharjah.

The initiative to support Arabic language education in Sharjah’s schools using new technology was launched by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan Bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, in 2013. It was one of a number of initiatives that aimed to develop the educational sector in the emirate, and to preserve and endear the Arabic language to students by incorporating modern methods into the learning process. Taking on a new identity, the initiative to support smart Arabic language learning was rebranded as the ‘Lughatiinitiative’ and approved by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah in January 2016. 

The Lughati smart learning initiative is designed to build a knowledge-based society and advance education in the emirate by encouraging students to apply Arabic in attaining cultural, social and economic knowledge, marking great successes for themselves and the Arabic language.