Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre Engages In Second International Conference On Arabic Teaching In Moscow

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) took part in the second International Scientific and Practical Conference in Moscow. This event was organised by the Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Education Centre with the Primakov School. The conference, themed "Teaching Arabic in the Modern World: Traditions and Innovations," aimed to explore modern methods of teaching Arabic that integrate traditional and contemporary educational technologies.

Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, emphasised the conference's significance in fostering cultural cooperation between the UAE and Russia. He noted that it enhances exchanges between Arab and Russian cultural spheres. The Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Education Centre, inaugurated last year with H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vladimir Putin present, is a prestigious academic institution supporting Arabic language education alongside history, culture, arts, and sciences.

The conference gathered 50 Russian-speaking experts and 15 Arabic speakers. They discussed modern approaches to teaching Arabic, blending tradition with new educational technologies. Topics included artificial intelligence in language instruction, Arabic dialects' role in Russian education, and using modern tools for teaching Modern Standard Arabic at universities.

Participants also explored standards for evaluating instruction quality and enhancing reading experiences. Discussions covered translation practice, ethnolinguistics research, and prospects for teaching Qur’anic Arabic in schools. The event targeted researchers, teachers, and students of Arabic.

Bin Tamim served as Guest of Honour at the main panel titled "Centres and Directions of Russian Arabism: Balancing Tradition and Innovation." He was joined by experts from Saint Petersburg State University, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and other Arab studies centres. He highlighted ALC initiatives like the annual Sheikh Zayed Book Award that honours leading thinkers across 10 categories.

The ALC supports researchers through grants for research on Arabic curricula and instruction. Bin Tamim underscored Al Markaz: The Journal of Arab Studies' importance in bridging Arab and international scholarship. Published by ALC with Brill, it addresses the scarcity of peer-reviewed Arabic academic publications.

Expanding International Presence

The ALC reinforced its international presence through participation in this conference. It expanded its role in building connections and strengthening cultural collaboration. The two-day event featured various activities including a performance by Arabic language students titled "Hand in Hand," showcasing Arabic as a bridge between cultures.

At the conference's conclusion, bin Tamim visited Russia’s second-largest library with an ALC delegation. The Library for Foreign Literature houses around 4.5 million books in over 150 languages including about 20,000 Arabic titles. They met with the Library’s Director to discuss current cultural exchange opportunities.

With inputs from WAM