Non-Arabic speaking students living in the UAE and across the region can learn the basics of the Arabic language for free on Madrasa e-learning platform amid worldwide school closures due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.
Madrasa (madrasa.org), recently recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a powerful digital learning solution to help children across the world continue their education amid recent school closures, started providing interactive Arabic language video lessons in December 2019 alongside more than 5,000 Arabized educational videos in math and science that cater to students from kindergarten to grade 12.
Non-Arabic speaking students can now have access to more than 250 interactive Arabic language lessons available on the e-learning platform that caters to grades 1-4. The high-tech videos offer basic Arabic grammar, writing, reading and listening lessons to facilitate student learning in an engaging and creative manner.
Originally produced in coordination with a committee of specialised academic experts, teachers, and professors from Zayed University and the UAE Ministry of Education, the Arabic educational content developed on Madrasa e-learning platform meets accredited school curricula across the Arab world.
The videos apply modern and innovative technology to create engaging material supported by a story like narration and specially created animated cartoons to promote language use among the young generation. The educational videos, mapped with learning outcomes and equipped with demonstrative examples and exercises, adopt a simple language that allow students to gain a better understanding of the rich Arabic language. Every video is followed by a group of questions to evaluate the student’s understanding of the material.
The online Arabic lessons, produced in collaboration with specialized video editors, producers and voiceover artists, aim to support Arab students and non-Arabic speaking students across different school age groups in mastering different linguistic skills and gaining a comprehensive understanding of the language.
By the end of the year, Madrasa e-learning platform will provide 1,000 Arabic language videos, constituting 800 educational videos year that cover all aspects related to language for students from kindergarten to grade 12, and 200 statically animated stories. The animated stories mainly target kindergarten and primary school students through engaging and creative content.
UNESCO has recognised Madrasa.org among the latest global distance learning solutions with a wide reach, strong user-base and evidence of the impact that could help children across the world continue their education amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
Under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), Madrasa was listed among the educational platforms that can help teachers, schools and parents facilitate student learning and provide social support and interaction during the period of school closures.
Launched in 2018, Madrasa e-learning platform provides more than 5,000 free Arabized videos in general science, math, biology, chemistry and physics to students from kindergarten to grade 12, alongside the recently-launched online Arabic language lessons.
