July 2016 Newsletter


	info@alefb.org	+1 301 9194481	www.alefb.org

Ahlan wa Sahlan to Alefb Newsletter!

من خلال تجربتي في تعليم اللغة العربية كلغة أجنبية للأطفال طوال العشرين عاماً الماضية في الولايات المتحدة، بدءاً من الطريقة التقليدية القديمة، ووصولاً إلى أحدث الأساليب لتعليم اللغة، أقول بأنه لدي ثقة كاملة أن اعتماد المنهج التواصلي لتعليم اللغة العربية كلغة أجنبية سيؤدي إلى نتائج طيبة بإذن الله، وأهمها حب الأطفال لاستخدام اللغة العربية داخل الصف وخارجه كلما سمحت الظروف، بل والرغبة في ممارستها والاستمرارية في تعلمها . لذلك من المهم البحث عن الفرص الوفيرة لتدريب المهارات اللغوية الأساسية لأطفالنا، وذلك من خلال مشاركتهم في أوقات لعبهم و تشجيعهم على استخدام اللغة، ومساعدتهم على استعمالها أثناء نشاطاتهم المتعددة ،وهذا بدوره يؤدي إلى توسيع إدراكهم للمفاهيم الأساسية والتعبير عنها. Lina Kholaki, Arabic language instructor/consultant NEWS FROM ALEFB: We are proud to report that all across our three locations (Paris-France, Washington DC, and the San Francisco Bay area), our kids have enjoyed learning the Arabic language and culture in a fun and efficient way. We are so honored to have hosted famous Lebanese American Helen Zughaib artist in one amazing workshop session. Our students worked with their teachers on My House topic, during which they acquired the vocabulary necessary to describe their ideal home, in the scenery of their choice. Ms Helen Zughaib guided our students through her illustrated story: Stories My Father Told Me. If your child was part of our Alefb Washington DC 3rd session cohort, you will see their pictures and videos on our Facebook page. Stay tuned for more on Facebook...and feel free to get involved, like, share and post! *First 2 people to send the title of our latest post on our Facebook Page will earn a discount of 10% on their next subscription to our Alefb workshops in Washington DC, or San Francisco Bay Area.** Send you answer to info@alefb.org before July 15, 2016. this offer is valid for first time Alefb students only. ALEFB IN THE NEWS: Please read the Lebanese Francophone daily L'Orient-LeJour article on Alefb. « Alef, b » pour la langue et la culture arabes Pauline MOUHANNA KARROUM (d’Atlanta, Géorgie) De Paris jusqu'aux États-Unis et notamment la Virginie ou la Californie, l'association « Alef, b » sensibilise les jeunes et les moins jeunes à l'importance de maintenir la langue arabe, parlée... Lire la suite ENROLL YOUR CHILDREN WITH ALEFB: Now is the time to enroll or re-enroll* your kids for our next school year 2016-17, and reserve a spot in the right age and level group. We will be sending reminders by the end of August. Early registrants will benefit from the actual fee, others may expect an increase for next year. WORK WITH ALEFB: We are always looking for dedicated teachers, for all our locations. Our training program is available to our potential candidates on an ongoing basis. Please click here to submit your resume. For more job offers, click here. ALEFB HINT TO REINFORCE YOUR CHILDREN'S ARABIC LANGUAGE AND CULTURE: 5 things to do during this Summer break: Every Summer break, we ask ourselves how to bridge the gap in the learning of Arabic as a Foreign language continuum? A number of families are lucky to be able to travel to the Arab world, to visit family and friends. For the others, some options for Arabic summer camps are available. However, as Ms Lina Kholaki states above, the majority of us need to rely on what we can do best: support language learning at home. Here are some suggestions: Help your child make time to practice: Review with them the material they brought back for Alefb workshops. Have your student teach you to say something in the language every day: very funny drill. Try it! Find cultural events connected to the language and culture being studied: read more below in the Cultural and Community Resources. Provide videos, books and music in the language: read more below Look for opportunities outside the classroom: Re-connect with Alefb class mates. Read more here. BEES... are busy in the Summer, are you? Check this fun activity to do with your kids! FROM AROUND THE WEB: The politicization of learning Arabic, by Madeleine Chang This article appeared in the Stanford Daily. Why does Stanford require its students to study foreign languages? According to the Stanford Language Center, it’s because “Stanford students need to be able to initiate interactions with persons from other cultures but also to engage with them on issues of mutual concern.” read more here EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES Use this fun website to create art with Arabic words. Ask your child for his or her favorite word in Arabic, or English (you will translate it for them in Arabic), type it in Arabic using a visual Arabic keyboard (learn how to add Arabic to your Microsoft office suite, here) and copy paste the word in the appropriate box. Pick your style and your font and let the magic unfold... Send us a picture of you masterpiece, and we will post it in our next Newsletter. Have your child count the number of times the word appears! See below for an example: CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES: Summer time and plenty of cultural activities to go to! Share with your children our Arabic culture, go out to the museum, to the movies, or other. Here are some ideas and events coming your way: If you would like to share an event please let us know at info@alefb.org National Museum of Women in the Arts, WDC: She who tells a story, April 8, 2016 through July 31, 2016. The exhibition features artists Jananne Al-Ani, Boushra Almutawakel, Gohar Dashti, Rana El Nemr, Lalla Essaydi, Shadi Ghadirian, Tanya Habjouqa, Rula Halawani, Nermine Hammam, Rania Matar, Shirin Neshat, and Newsha Tavakolian. Their provocative works, most created within the last decade, range in genre from portraiture to documentary to staged narratives. Many of the artists develop expansive series of images that create compelling narratives about feminine identity, war, occupation, and protest. More here National Museum of American History, WDC: Many Voices, One Nation. Stay tuned for this exhibit , scheduled for July 2017, featuring Lebanese entrepreneur Bechara Nammour. More here and here Institut du Monde Arabe, Paris-France: Jardins d'Orient, April 19 to Sept 25, 2016 More here Cantor Arts Center @ Stanford University, Palo Alto-CA: An Oasis in Glass, through August 8, 2016. More here Sackler Gallery,Washington, D.C: Symbolic Cities, the Work of Ahmed Mater, through Sept 18, 2016 More here Stay current on community events in the Bay area, click on this website: http://www.ncaacommunity.com/community-events STORIES FROM OUR ALEFB ALUMNI: This time, I suggest we write the story from Alefb Parents Alumni, all together :) To do so, please fill out a 7 question survey. If you do, I will publish the story in our next issue, promise! Alefb Alumni, young parents, retired parents, you are welcome to join the effort for the sake of those who Gibran Khalil Gibran calls " the Flame that no Wind can extinct, the Salt that no Eternity can spoil". If you are interested, please email here, or call +1 301 919 4481. If you once took part in the Alefb adventure, as a parent or a teacher, please share your story at info@alefb.org WE NEED YOU: If you have stories to share, please send them our way at info@alefb.org Please propose field trips in your area that are relevant to the Arabic culture and language. Come to our classes and perform one of your talents or just read a story, tell us about a traditional holiday, or about your job. Our Team wishes you a HAPPY EID! ! عيد مبارك

Alefb... The playful way to learn arabic language and culture Phone: 1.301.919.4481