Island recruiting first Arabic language teacher

A Scottish council is recruiting its first Arabic language teacher after 24 Syrian refugee families settled on an island.

Argyll and Bute Council is looking for a teacher of Arabic to be based at Rothesay Academy on the Isle of Bute.

The council says the aim is not only to preserve the culture of the young refugees but to present “an opportunity” for all pupils at the school to learn a global language.

The first families arrived on Bute from Syria in 2015. One of the concerns of Syrian parents was that while adults were struggling to learn English, children were becoming fluent very quickly. Parents wanted to ensure the children’s Arabic was maintained for their cultural identity.

Council officers previously told local politicians that they were considering the best way to support the families with the issue.

Now the council is advertising for an Arabic teacher for 17.5 hours a week. The plan is for a temporary post, with a salary ranging from £22,866 to £36,480 per annum and the closing date for applications is 20 June.

A council spokesman said: “Our families brought with them the opportunity for people to hear and learn one of the world’s most widely-used languages, and we’re keen to turn this into an opportunity for our pupils.”