Rewards and challenges

Matej Simko, Grade 7 student

“The main advantage

[in learning Arabic] is that it is a new language [for me], and will help me in the future. My teachers are kind, so that makes it more fun.

“Arabic is a very interesting, and also a very complex, language thus making it harder to learn than most other languages so it is a big achievement for me if I can speak it fluently.

“I don’t speak Arabic outside of school with anyone so if there is a break [in learning], I usually forget some new vocabulary.”

Disha Amin Grade 7 student

“I have been studying Arabic for six years and most people say that I have a talent for languages. Though my writing and reading has developed tremendously, I am having slight difficulty speaking Arabic fluently. In my opinion, that’s because I do not speak it at home. Yes, I do speak in Arabic to the few Arab guests that come over occasionally, but that still isn’t enough. I speak Hindi at home but if I spoke more Arabic at home, I would be more fluent.”

Jessica Louise Roberts, Grade 7 student

“I have been studying Arabic for six years and love learning it. I live in Dubai so it helps me when I need to communicate in Arabic.

“However, my parents are not from an Arab country, so I cannot speak Arabic at home. My friends too are not from Arab countries, so I cannot speak Arabic with them.

“Overall, I love learning and speaking Arabic and my family and friends think it is really cool that I am learning the language.”