Building bridges in language and culture outside the classroom with the Arab world
Building bridges in language and culture outside the classroom with the Arab world
Khalili Estaytieh, Bath University.
Practical exercises saying hello and introducing ourselves in Arabic.
Credits and non-bearing credits at Bath University.
Food, music, general culture. About 80 students participated.
Purpose of the event: to broaden the awareness of Arabic Culture to university students and staff. Better understanding of the social, traditional, and historical aspect of the Arabic culture. To provide a cultural education for all interested in learning about the Middle East and North Africa region.
Issues: funding, space, staff. Teaching Development Fund was good (1000 pounds for one half-day).
Live music, food.
Topics covered:
More enrolment to Arabic classes, gave students a new positive perspective, students made links with other students.
Challenges: event not greatly publicised amongst a whole range of students, talks too much based on personal experience of the speakers rather than on scholarly research, more integration between Arab students and other non-Arab students.
What to improve: more coordination between Arab Society and other societies, better balance between personal experiences and scholarly research.
Khalili Estaytieh, Bath University.
Practical exercises saying hello and introducing ourselves in Arabic.
Credits and non-bearing credits at Bath University.
Food, music, general culture. About 80 students participated.
Purpose of the event: to broaden the awareness of Arabic Culture to university students and staff. Better understanding of the social, traditional, and historical aspect of the Arabic culture. To provide a cultural education for all interested in learning about the Middle East and North Africa region.
Issues: funding, space, staff. Teaching Development Fund was good (1000 pounds for one half-day).
Live music, food.
Topics covered:
- Arabic language and its various forms today. Modern Standard Arabic and Colloquial Arabic.
- Importance of hospitality and respect. El bait baitak (my house is yours), practice of cooking for your visiting plumber for example, you say hello to people on the world
- Family values. The bigger the better.
- Role of religion in society
- Marriage
- Role of women in Arab society
- Arabic contributions to civilization
More enrolment to Arabic classes, gave students a new positive perspective, students made links with other students.
Challenges: event not greatly publicised amongst a whole range of students, talks too much based on personal experience of the speakers rather than on scholarly research, more integration between Arab students and other non-Arab students.
What to improve: more coordination between Arab Society and other societies, better balance between personal experiences and scholarly research.
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