DOHA: Following the success of Adult English Literacy initiative for low-skilled migrant workers, Reach Out To Asia (ROTA), Qatar’s leading education and humanitarian not-for-profit organisation, is launching the Rota Adult Arabic Literacy (RAAL) course.
The initiative is a result of a survey by ROTA, which suggested that 55 percent of low-skilled workers did not have any Arabic literacy skills, while 45 percent appeared to have a fair degree of spoken Arabic with no reading or writing skills.
The pilot programme sponsored by Qatar Petroleum will give 50 workers the opportunity to develop ability to effectively communicate at a basic level in Arabic in their daily activities.
Starting this month, the course will be conducted over six weeks, for which ROTA has partnered with Qatar University and Fanar to develop a model for teaching basic adult Arabic literacy to low-skilled workers employed at Qatar University and ROTA.
“The RAAL programme is a fruitful way of supporting workers to enhance ability to achieve personal goals and improve life opportunities. We hope that participants in the course will develop higher aspirations and an increased sense of well-being and empowerment,” said ROTA Executive Director, Essa Al Mannai. Prior to becoming trainers, volunteers attended a one-day training programme organised by ROTA, and provided by Mohammed Al Haj Mahmoud Taleb from Sheikh Abdulla bin Zeid Al Mahmoud Islamic and Centre (Al Fanar).
It covered practical information relating to teaching Arabic, communication across language barriers, and global migration.
At the end of the training, literacy trainers were given a personal copy of the RAAL curriculum.
A key feature of the programme is that it offers opportunities for young people in Qatar to take part in an experiential service learning opportunity and develop skills and knowledge as RAAL literacy trainers and champions.
“The special cooperation and partnership between ROTA and Al Fanar is well translated today through this training in the principles and rules of teaching Arabic offered to non-Arabic speakers.
“We consider this step very important as it helps volunteers to integrate into society and deal positively with the Qatari culture which would help them communicate with others with respect and appreciation,” said Taleb.
“We hope the lasting legacy of the programme will not only help trainers and learners put new skills to good use, but also have an increased sense of community, with members of different sections of society having the opportunity to interact in a meaningful and positive way,” added Al Mannai.
The Peninsula
