2008 Woodie Awards
Arabic Language Club explores language, culture of Mid-East
Bibeka Shrestha
Issue date: 2/14/07 Section: News
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Malek Abu Alhaj, '09, is taking education into his own hands. He recently founded a club that teaches the Arabic language and helps educate the W&L community about Middle Eastern culture.
As an international student from Jordan, Abu Alhaj wanted to help start a cultural exchange. "I felt it was my responsibility to do something new," he said.
The Arabic club takes a more informal approach to teaching the language. "It's not like a class," Abu Alhaj said. The club is teaching the basics, starting with the alphabet, but also teaching expressions that Arabic-speaking people actually use.
Abu Alhaj has never taught before, so he's using a book on teaching Arabic as a guide.
W&L students who want a more formal Arabic class have the option of taking classes at VMI. But Arabic is a high-demand course at VMI, and it is difficult for W&L students to get in.
"We are recommending that students take Arabic elsewhere during a summer program then begin the exchange at the intermediate level," said Scott Dittman, university registrar.
So far, seven W&L students have taken Arabic at VMI. Two undergraduates and one law student currently study Arabic as their primary language.
Hank Dobin, Dean of the College, acknowledges the rising interest in Arabic and said we may reach a point where the language will be offered here. But Dobin isn't sure that W&L is now in a position to offer the advanced Arabic language, literature or culture courses that are necessary for a language sequence in Arabic.
"We have just hired our first specialist in Islamic religion and civilization," Dobin said. "We certainly hope, over time, to continue building our curriculum in the languages, cultures and history of the Islamic world."
Clifford Kiracofe, visiting professor of politics, believes Arabic will be an important language at least for next few decades. He said it would be useful to learn the language for a variety of fields, including diplomacy, the military, international business and commerce, intelligence and law enforcement.
As an international student from Jordan, Abu Alhaj wanted to help start a cultural exchange. "I felt it was my responsibility to do something new," he said.
The Arabic club takes a more informal approach to teaching the language. "It's not like a class," Abu Alhaj said. The club is teaching the basics, starting with the alphabet, but also teaching expressions that Arabic-speaking people actually use.
Abu Alhaj has never taught before, so he's using a book on teaching Arabic as a guide.
W&L students who want a more formal Arabic class have the option of taking classes at VMI. But Arabic is a high-demand course at VMI, and it is difficult for W&L students to get in.
"We are recommending that students take Arabic elsewhere during a summer program then begin the exchange at the intermediate level," said Scott Dittman, university registrar.
So far, seven W&L students have taken Arabic at VMI. Two undergraduates and one law student currently study Arabic as their primary language.
Hank Dobin, Dean of the College, acknowledges the rising interest in Arabic and said we may reach a point where the language will be offered here. But Dobin isn't sure that W&L is now in a position to offer the advanced Arabic language, literature or culture courses that are necessary for a language sequence in Arabic.
"We have just hired our first specialist in Islamic religion and civilization," Dobin said. "We certainly hope, over time, to continue building our curriculum in the languages, cultures and history of the Islamic world."
Clifford Kiracofe, visiting professor of politics, believes Arabic will be an important language at least for next few decades. He said it would be useful to learn the language for a variety of fields, including diplomacy, the military, international business and commerce, intelligence and law enforcement.
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