ELT World » united arab emirates

UAE: Why Arab students find English tricky

david — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 10:00:52 +0000

Gulf News notes that a study by the British University in Dubai has indicated that insufficient attention is paid to spelling principles and this results in poor written English among Arab learners.

An education expert has noted that, in order to produce students who speak better English, they must be made aware of the different language systems and how they affect English spelling and reading.

It took an education expert to come up with that?

United Arab Emirates: Maths and science to be taught in English

david — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:51:57 +0000

All pupils in state high schools will be taught maths and science in English by the year 2012, the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) said yesterday. At the launch of its 10-year strategic plan, Adec said it aimed to see pupils graduating with equal proficiency in English and Arabic.

The National reports how, in a concerted effort to turn out better qualified school-leavers, from this August the school day will also be extended by 90 minutes in all state high schools in the emirate. Pupils in all Abu Dhabi’s state schools will study for 10 extra days a year. It follows the publication of results showing that only 13 per cent of applicants to federal universities scored enough in their English exams to bypass remedial courses.

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United Arab Emirates: Language institute helping to bridge cultures

david — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 06:03:22 +0000

United Arab Emirates: The Polyglot Language Institute, located near Al Nassr Square, in the heart of Dubai’s commercial district, is where Russians shop for fur jackets, people lunch at Iranian restaurants and where you can purchase sleek but inexpensive Indian watches, notes GulfNews.

On the street you can hear myriad of languages being spoken. The language institute opened its doors to Emiratis and expatriates in 1969, a year before the British Council started, says a proud Mohamad Almawed, owner of the Institute. “We have taught English to VVIP’s here,” he says and reels off a few names who are the elite of Dubai.

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British Council launches portfolio of newservices at TESOL Arabia 2009 – Dubai

david — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:57:24 +0000

United Kingdom and UAE: Those loveable rogues the British Council, the world’s infamously largest English language teaching organisation, has launched a range of new global English teaching and learning services, debuting the new services in the UAE, at the TESOL Arabia 15th annual International Conference which concluded on 14 March.

These new services, most of which are free to users, aim to create very broad access to high quality teaching and learning materials through highly interactive Web 2.0 style online services for teachers, learners and parents.

Read the TESOLtastic story…

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State pupils’ English skills are delaying degree programmes in the UAE

david — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 08:54:38 +0000

United Arab Emirates: According to The National, a substantial number of pupils in state schools applying to university do not have the English-language skills required to begin degree studies, college administrators say. Expressing concern over the time and money taken up by university preparatory courses, they are urging secondary schools to spend more time teaching English.

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A goal of one nation with two tongues

david — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 07:30:30 +0000

United Arab Emirates: The National notes that Arabic has been spoken in the lands that now constitute the UAE for more than a millennium. These days, though, it is as likely – if not more so – to hear English, the language of globalisation, in the corridors of commerce or the halls of education.

British Council marks 10 years in Sharjah

david — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 10:06:37 +0000

United Arab Emirates & United Kingdom: The British Council has been present and active in Sharjah for 10 years, and has significantly increased the size of its teaching and support staff over this time, to meet local demand from an increasing number of students for English language courses, which is one of the main areas of focus.

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Dubai: Move to Introduce English in Arabic Nurseries Hailed

david — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:15:05 +0000

UAE: Children at a young age are more linguistically inclined in comparison to the later stages in their life, notes the Khaleej Times. Parents thus believe that if English is taught in state-run and Arabic nurseries and schools it will make their children more proficient when they make their transition into the English education system.

Recent media reports stated that state-run nurseries will introduce English to children as young as four as part of the educational reforms by the UAE Ministry of Education. The initiative that will begin as a pilot study is being welcomed by parents who consider English language skills an important part of their child’s education. “This is the right age to mould a child. In nursery, my son was taught only in Arabic. At the age of four children start learning how to communicate and express themselves. Therefore any number of languages taught at this age will come to them easily,” said Mamoun Khalifa, adding that when the child gets older, languages are harder to teach.

Read on…

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United Arab Emirates: The Art and Science of Good English – Here Comes Help

david — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:03:17 +0000

The University of Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Examinations is planning to work with education councils and corporate sectors across the UAE to raise the standard of English among students, teachers and professionals in the country. While a number of students of private schools in the emirates are already writing the different Cambridge ESOL exams, officials hope to increase the number of students and teachers taking the examinations.

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United Arab Emirates and South Korea: Eager to Practice Together—Virtually

david — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:59:57 +0000

When learners in Dubai and South Korea met together to practise their Engish in the virtual world of Second Life they already had a lot to say to each other. Max de Lotbinière finds out how this innovative exchange project developed the two groups’ interest in each other and made them confident inhabitants of this new environment.

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