Alberta to offer Arabic bilingual program across province
Alberta to offer Arabic bilingual program across province
By The Canadian Press, October 10, 2017
EDMONTON - The Alberta government will be offering an Arabic language curriculum across the province next year.
Alberta Education is working to develop the bilingual program with Edmonton Public Schools, one of a few districts in the province that provides the option.
The Edmonton public board says Arabic is it's fastest growing language program.
The province contracted the board last year to help develop a modified version.
The program, for students in kindergarten through Grade 12, will be available starting in September.
Education Minister David Eggen says the government recognizes the economic and academic benefits of proficiency in more than one language.
Tags
Who is online
323 visitors
Canada's two official languages are English and French. I guess there's going to be a change in the near future.
Coming soon to a neighbourhood near you....
Why do you think there is going to be a change in Canada's English/French official language policy, and what are you suggesting the change is going to be?
At my age I won't be alive to see it, but if present demographic trends continue, my kids probably will see a change. Amazing that Arabic is to be taught from kindergarten all the way to high school graduation. In Ontario when I went to school, English was the principal language, and French was taught only in high school. Being taught from kindergarten all the way up is a little more serious IMO.
Arabic is to be taught from kindergarten all the way to high school graduation? Really?? When is this starting that kids will be taught Arabic all through school? Are you sure this isn't an optional thing that is being offered because there is an interest in it?
From the article:
"The program, for students in kindergarten through Grade 12, will be available starting in September."
Granted I have not attended school for a few years, but in Canada students are not given options to choose their subjects until about 2nd year of high school. Until then, all subjects are MANDATORY.
Islam is taking over - that's what Buzz is referring to.
The answer is in the title. Offer vs. Require.
So, you are claiming that kids in Alberta will be forced to take Arabic until the second year of high school? Am I understanding you correctly? And you don't have to yell, Buzzy, I'm not deaf!
Yes Sister, but Buzz seems to be claiming that it is a mandatory part of the curriculum, that's why I'm talking to him about it.
Well, that's a euphamism, isn't it. You're not "talking", you're interrogating. I came to my conclusions from the article and my experience of being educated in Canada, although that was a long time ago, and I invite you to come to your own conclusions, and I really don't care what they are.
I'm just trying to come to the correct conclusion, my friend. Are you or are you not claiming that this will be a mandatory part of the curriculum? It's a simple question, not an 'interrogation.' Anyway, it's off to work for me. I'm one of those rare liberals who has a job! Later folks...
Thanks for that info. The article I posted isn't very informative. Considering domographic progressions based on current trends, it could become mandatory down the road.
And yet there are schools in Edmonton that offer Cree, German, Japanese, Hebrew, and several others. This is just another language that is not mandatory and will be offered as an option. No big deal.
There is a huge East Indian population in Edmonton. Some schools offer Punjabi as well. At no point is anyone concerned this will become mandatory.
The following article pertains to the USA, but it could reasonably apply to what's happening in Canada regarding the teaching of Arabic in public schools :
This article gives some background about the Arabic Language Institute Foundation (ALIF):
http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2004/11/does-learning-arabic-prevent-moral-decay