Learning Arabic

Each year 200 students enroll in JICC Arabic courses, and can advance through six levels. The Center for Arabic Instruction, founded in the fall of 2003, bridges the language chasm for change agents citywide. The courses provide functional communication tools for everyday life.

Impact

Years experience

200

Students studying at multiple levels each year

100

Classroom hours per course over 32 weeks

800

Students trained to speak Arabic

Context

In a city as diverse as Jerusalem, learning another language is essential for peaceful coexistence, collaboration and improvement.

The students are professionals and/or volunteers who work with Arabic speakers on a regular basis, and whose knowledge of Arabic will make a large impact in advancing relations between Jews and Arabs in the city. By empowering individuals with language skills, JICC is building stronger, more empathetic communities. Language is a window into a people’s culture. It is therefore critical for Jews and Arabs to understand each other’s language to better understand each other’s culture and society.

Strategies

Arabic Courses

Students join for a variety of reasons, including professional development, personal interest, and a desire to contribute to community harmony.

Effective Communication

The courses are tailored to meet the needs of professionals and laypeople, ensuring that participants can communicate effectively in their specific contexts.

Cultural Education

Beyond letters on a page and spoken word, these courses incorporate cultural education, helping students understand the traditions and social norms of Arabic-speaking communities.

Relevant Staff

Email:

arabic@jicc.org.il