The Faculty of Human Sciences at Beirut Arab University organized a conference for secondary school students from various Lebanese schools, titled "Our Arabic Language: How Do We Like to Learn and Communicate in It?" The event was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Human Sciences Professor Siddika Lashin; the Head of the Arabic Language Department Dr. Bashir Faraj; the coordinator of the "Ain" program Dr. Khalil Ajina; school principals and students; and a gathering of academics.
The conference explored three key themes:
1. Arabic as the Language of Identity, Belonging, Culture, and Future 2. Challenges in Learning Arabic and Acquiring Its Skills 3. How We Prefer to Learn Arabic
The conference aimed to examine the challenges of teaching Arabic from students’ perspectives, enhance secondary students’ presentation, discussion, and dialogue skills, gather students' opinions and suggestions for making Arabic instruction more engaging and effective, and strengthen inter-school relationships through shared experiences.
The event began with the Lebanese national anthem and the university anthem, followed by a documentary showcasing the university’s faculties and programs. After a welcoming speech by the conference moderator, Mohammad Rateb Naboulsi a Mass Communication student, Faculty Dean Professor Siddika Lashin expressed gratitude to University President Professor Wael Nabil Abdel Salam for his efforts in "promoting the Arabic language within the university." She emphasized that "this student-centered conference is the first of its kind in Lebanese universities," highlighting the Faculty’s commitment to addressing students' concerns about Arabic language education. Addressing the attendees, she affirmed, "We will listen to your demands, take them seriously, and incorporate them into future educational plans."
Dr. Khalil Ajina encouraged students to share their ideas, urging them to contribute innovative approaches to making Arabic both popular and practical. He described the conference as an opportunity to transform Arabic from a static subject into a dynamic experience.
Dr. Bashir Faraj, Head of the Arabic Language Department, delivered a speech urging students to take pride in Arabic "the crown of all languages" and to resist replacing it with other languages. He emphasized the importance of balancing Arabic with foreign languages while immersing in its richness.
The conference featured active student participation, including poetry recitations, theatrical performances, and interactive presentations that highlighted the challenges of learning Arabic and proposed solutions. Three panel discussions moderated by Arabic professors Dr. Nour El-Din Abdeen, Dr. Khalil Ajina, and Dr. Samir Itani explored Arabic as an "identity”, the "challenges in teaching it," and "how to make learning it enjoyable."
The conference concluded with key recommendations, including:
- Adopting interactive teaching methods and group projects in Arabic instruction.
- Integrating Arabic into daily school activities and updating curricula to align with students’ interests.
- Replacing traditional exams with modern evaluation methods, such as practical assessments and creative written and expressive projects.
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