A significant challenge facing the educational system in Israel’s Bedouin sector is that Arabic language and literature are taught as if Arabic were the students’ mother tongue, while in fact, this is not the case. This problem manifests itself in the form of lower matriculation scores in the Bedouin sector on Arabic language matriculation exams compared to other Arabic-speaking populations in Israel. Consequently, as they begin their teacher training, some college students from the Bedouin sector display only limited proficiency in the Arabic language.
The establishment of the Center for the Study of Arabic Language and Literature and the teaching methods it promotes contribute to the development of programs that advance the students’ knowledge of the Arabic language and introduce new methods for teaching it to others.
The Center is an integral part of the Arabic language major and works in conjunction with training programs at the College to prepare future kindergarten, elementary and high school educators. The Center cooperates with the supervising authority appointed by the Ministry of Education to oversee Arabic studies in the Bedouin sector.
Our Center also forges close relationships with instructors, principals and Arabic centers at schools and in the community. Additionally, the Center strives to develop programs to advance the way Arabic is taught, upgrading to innovative pedagogical methods that utilize 21st century technology.
Objectives:
- Improving the way Arabic is taught as part of the teacher training program;
- Cultivating excellence in Arabic among teacher training students;
- Advancing the professional development of teachers as experts in teaching Arabic;
- Encouraging research related to the teaching of Arabic.