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Showing posts from October, 2024

Purpose, Empathy and Awareness

So, as I look back at my journey throughout Arabic and world language teaching in general, moving forward I'm filled with both excitement....and dread; The most exciting part of this work for me is getting to influence the manner in which my students relate to Arabic and Arab culture. I am not just instructing content, I help students to develop their communication skills — to think critically and have new tools engage with the world. What excites me the most about moving forward as a teacher? I’m helping students learn how to express themselves in another language, how to understand different perspectives. Watching my students gain confidence in these areas is incredibly rewarding. It’s not just about mastering content; it’s about mastering skills like communication, problem-solving, and cultural understanding. These are the tools that will help them thrive, not just in their studies but in life, teaching a language like Arabic allows me to open a window into a rich culture, full ...

ISTE Standards for Educators

  After reading through the ISTE standards, I realized that the "Collaborator" category is an area I need to work on. This category encourages educators to work together with colleagues, students, and the community, using digital tools to build stronger learning networks. It also pushes for collaboration at both the local and global levels, which is something I haven’t fully embraced yet​ Why this category? As an Arabic teacher, I’ve often worked independently, focusing on my curriculum. But the truth is, teaching a language like Arabic can sometimes feel isolating, especially when there aren't many local colleagues to collaborate with. I chose this category because I see the value in expanding my network and connecting with other educators in the world language department, sharing best practices with other Arabic teachers globally, and even collaborating with teachers from different subjects at my own school. My goal I want to start small by creating opportunities for c...