King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSAA) has launched a project to train Arabic language teachers for non-native speakers in Africa. The project will help develop the skills of Arabic language teachers, spread the culture of Arabic language service globally, and enable them to teach the language per scientific principles, provided by a group of distinguished Saudi experts in teaching Arabic to non-native speakers. The first training courses will start Monday in Uganda at the Islamic University supervised by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and will be held later in succession in Senegal, Ivory Coast, Niger, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Chad, Ghana, and Comoros. The ten courses will target broad segments of Arabic language teachers, and will be implemented in cooperation with universities and regional institutions. The project targets teachers of Arabic for non-native speakers working in public and private universities, institutes, and centers for teaching Arabic to non-native speakers. It also aims to develop the skills of teachers of the African continent through various training methods, and best practices in language education, by a group of Saudi education experts. Among the training paths that the project will produce are methods of teaching a second language, the difference between language acquisition and learning, teaching language skills, appropriate techniques for teaching languages, language tests, preparing language materials and activities, and language games. The training project aims to support the society's vision of achieving leadership and global reference in the service of the Arabic language, and developing the knowledge and skills of Arabic language teachers to non-native speakers around the world. It will be done through training on the basic principles of effective teaching, per the best practices in language education, as well as developing applied skills of Arabic language teachers as a second language in using appropriate tools and techniques. It will also highlight investing opportunities to serve the Arabic language, activate its activities globally, and expand the circle of workers in Arabic language service. The courses are scheduled to include training sessions, group discussions and brainstorming questions, open dialogues to enrich training activities, and micro-teaching (practical application). — SPA
