Current State of Arabic in the US

Page 1

The Current State of K-12 Public and Public Charter School Arabic Language Programs A QFI survey of 106 Public and Public Charter School Arabic Programs. and @QFINTL

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Results are as of November 2013.

About QFI Qatar Foundation International, LLC, is a U.S.-based member of Qatar Foundation (QF) dedicated to advancing QF’s mission and Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser’s vision of connecting cultures and advancing global citizenship through education. QFI is a not-for-profit organization in Washington, D.C., focused on grant-giving and programmatic activities that promote education as a force that facilitates collaboration across geographical, social and cultural boundaries.

Survey Methodology Since December 2012 - 201 U.S. public and public charter schools contacted. Initially by phone and followed up by email. Surveys were administered to principals or other administrators, not teachers.

Schools participated In the survey

Phone interviews with Principals and Administrators of Arabic programs

Contact list compiled using-combination of NCLRC Arabic Schools directory and QFI's own database

No partial information was included in the data set

Findings How many students are enrolled in your program?

45

16

1-100

students

schools

2

students

schools

3

601-700 students

schools

2

0

20

10+

1

1

13

1991

1998

3

2009

4

2007

2006 2012

2005

How did your school find an Arabic teacher?

Levels

Schools

2

36 Standard hiring process 17

3

65

Programs

2010 2011

8

2002

What levels of Arabic are taught at your school?

79

13

2003

1

2001

7

6

4

3

1988

programs

13 2008

1

8

years

Number of programs by year established

Programs

programs

40

Students

students

2

19

years

701-800

schools

programs

5-10

students

Programs

2

35

years

501-600

schools

programs

2-5 3

2

3

401-500

16

students

schools

23

years

21

9

301-400

3

201-300

0-2

students

19

7

capacity?

101-200

schools

students

schools

How long has your school

What is the average size of your Arabic classrooms?

28 Advertising

4

44

Partnership with university

16

9 Personal relationship with teacher 18 Teacher found in district

5

24

Word of mouth

3 Job Fairs

10

12

N/A / Unsure

Why did your school choose to have an Arabic program? Schools

15

37 Teacher found in district

15

11

9

Increase cultural understanding

Teacher was available

Charter/magnet school

17

15

Funding opportunities

17

Open up opportunities for students

Other

"I would say that the most significant challenge for our Arabic program has been finding a certified teacher who is fluent in Arabic and who would fit into our school climate.”

What is the biggest challenge for the Arabic program? 24

Community

Funding

22

25

20

18

15 Curriculum materials

Arabic community ties

5 Finding a teacher

Parents

Administrative Administrative

Students

"One of the biggest challenges is community misperceptions. Parents were initially fearful that teaching Arabic language and culture meant that their students were being taught Islam."

Why do programs discontinue?

What is the most rewarding thing about the Arabic program?

School priority changed

30 24 Students gaining global understanding

Student excitement

23 Opportunities the program opens up

17 13

12

20%

Don't remember

4%

32%

Funding or budget cuts

Other Teacher

Growing the program

24%

Teacher left or retired

“It is a "feather in our cap" to have an Arabic program, especially since we are the only high

20%

Not enough response or student enrollment

received inquiries from surrounding districts and schools asking about the possibility of extending our Arabic programs through technology and distance learning options.”

Key Takeaways

Finding and retaining a quality teacher is critical for success of program

qfi.org

Community and administrative support & buy in is essential

Building a succesful Arabic program takes time and commitment. There is also a great need for quality Arabic curriculum materials.

There are more Arabic programs than you might think!

info@qfi.org


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