 |
Education Secretary Margaret Spellings is herself learning Arabic. |
CAIRO — The US Education Department has announced a grant to Fairfax County schools to expand Arabic classes as part of President Bush's National Security Language Initiative to increase the number of Americans who speak "critical" languages, The Washington Post reported on Thursday, September 21.
"Assalamu alaikum, everybody," Education Secretary Margaret Spellings greeted students in an advanced Arabic class at Annandale High School, one of three Fairfax schools teaching Arabic.
"You all are pioneers. I am so glad you all are learning these languages because these are the new marketplaces, the new economies," she said.
"I know how difficult it is and how important it is," Spellings told the students, adding that she herself was learning Arabic.
"It says . . . 'We're interested in you, we want to learn about your culture.' It's not important only for the spread of knowledge but the spread of world peace."
During the visit, Spellings announced a grant of $188,000 more than half of which will be used to develop an Arabic class accessible to students countywide through computer or television monitors.
Paula Patrick, Fairfax schools foreign language coordinator, said $100,000 of the grant will be used to create a virtual Arabic class for students in schools that otherwise aren't able to offer the language.
The Fairfax Country is also planning to offer foreign language classes in every elementary school.
Last January, Bush unveiled plans to boost teaching of what he described as "critical" languages such as Arabic, Farsi, Hindi and Chinese.
He said the step was a strategic move to promote "terror-combat, freedom and democracy".
High Demand
Ahmed Osman, who teaches Arabic at Washington-Lee, said the students are eager to learn and are picking up the language very quickly.
"I see they are very enthusiastic," said Osman, who also teaches at the State Department's Foreign Service Institute.
The Arabic classes have been drawing an increasing demand among American students.
Pakistani-born Muhammad Tahir of the Wakefield High School said he wanted to learn Arabic to understand Islam.
"I can read the Qur'an but I want to understand it."
Chase Briggs, 16, is taking Arabic for a third year because he has dreamed of a law enforcement career since he was in middle school.
"I figured with the war over in Iraq . . . Arabic would be good to take."
Briggs said he also has been fascinated learning about other parts of the world and other cultures.
"It gives me a better understanding of Muslim beliefs."
|
