Nominations Open For Abu Dhabi's 4th 'Arabic Pals' Language Competition

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has opened nominations for the fourth edition of its ‘Arabic Pals’ competition, which will run until 28 October 2024. This annual event, organised by the Centre’s Arabic Language Education and Research Department, targets children and youth aged 8 to 16, including both Arabic and non-Arabic speakers.

The competition aims to elevate the status of the Arabic language and motivate young people to master it for daily use. It also seeks to showcase the language's beauty, its cultural significance, and its versatility in expressing various aspects of life. Additionally, it encourages non-Arabic speakers to learn the language while raising parental awareness about its benefits for personal development and broadening perspectives.

Parents and guardians are urged by the ALC to motivate their children to participate by submitting creative videos that reflect their relationship with the Arabic language. These videos should offer inspiring examples of how they engage with the language.

The competition features three categories: reciting verses of Arabic poetry in correct Arabic, presenting an overview of UAE history or the achievements of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and sharing a personal experience related to learning Arabic for non-Arabic speakers. The aim is to stimulate interest in the language and highlight its beauty and expressive power.

Participants can submit a video up to two minutes long showcasing their experiences with the Arabic language. This opportunity is open to Arabic speakers aged 8 - 16 and non-Arabic speakers aged 12 - 18. The competition also offers a cash prize of up to AED10,000 to encourage participation among non-Arabic speaking students.

Judging Criteria

A specialised committee will judge submissions based on specific criteria, including the number of views and shares that winning videos receive. Winners will be announced at a later date.

This initiative not only promotes linguistic skills but also fosters a deeper appreciation for Arabic culture among young people in the UAE.

With inputs from WAM