Teaching Arabic Online:a collaborative training programme

Mariam Attia, University of DurhamNazmi AlMasri, Islamic University of GazaGiovanna Fassetta, University of GlasgowKatja Frimberger, Univerisy of Glasgow

Maria Grazia Imperiale, University of Glasgow

CESE Conference, University of Glasgow 1st June 2016

• The Gaza context• Aims of the course• Trainers’ guiding principles • Articulation of the course• Modules’ structure• A work in progress (by way of conclusions)

Overview

Gaza: a context of pressure & pain

Gaza Strip: Facts & figures Nearly 2 million people 25 miles long (40km) and 6 miles

(10 km) wide Gaza under siege: 10 years on Effects of the Siege on:

Mobility Academic life Socio-economic life:

unnemployment, poverty Health & well-being: physical &

psychological

• Increase young Palestinian’s employability beyond the closed confines of the Gaza Strip by working in an online environment.

• Offer the trainees the theoretical knowledge, competences and skills needed to teach in an online environment

• Encourage the trainees to become actively involved in their own learning process and to think critically and creatively about themselves as learners and as teachers

• Contribute to the creation of a centre of expertise in Teaching Arabic as a Foreign Language (TAFL) online at IUG, based on up to date knowledge and practice in foreign language teaching and grounded in specific experiences of TAFL in Palestine and other Arabic speaking countries

Aims of the training course

• 4 educators (FL teaching experience)• 10 learners (EFL teachers; Arabic teachers)• A variety of languages and of competence in

each language

• Avoid educational transfer (cultural imperialism)• Collaboration and co-creation• Action research

Team and guiding principles

Trainers’ guiding principles

Offerings: 4 hours (2 hours preparation + 2 hours face-to-screen)Remakings: 4 hours (2 hours preparation + 2 hours face-to-screen)Reflection: 2 hours

Modules’ structure

• The course is articulated in 6 modules (10 hours each) – M1 Context– M2 Technology– M3 Pedagogy– M4 Language– M5 Creative Methodologies– M6 Back and Forwards

Articulation of the course

• The story so far…

• Challenges

• Achievements

A work in progress

Thank you