Mosaic of Tongues: Cognitive and Social Benefits Explored

Reflecting on the transformative journey of “Mosaic of Tongues: Multilingual Learning for the Arabic-speaking World,” several profound lessons emerge from the collective experiences and insights shared by the contributors. The journey of exploring multilingual education within the Arabic-speaking world offers a multifaceted perspective on the importance, challenges, and opportunities of fostering linguistic diversity. Embracing Multilingualism … Continue reading Mosaic of Tongues: Cognitive and Social Benefits Explored

New book: Mosaic of Tongues

Immensely proud to announce the release of Mosaic of Tongues: Multilingual Learning for the Arabic-speaking World. This new book offers a comprehensive exploration into the multifaceted realm of multilingual education within Arabic-speaking communities and beyond. It delves into the intricate journey towards bilingualism, the intersection of language and identity among diaspora populations, and the social … Continue reading New book: Mosaic of Tongues

Arabic Language Learning in Europe: Realities of Policy & Practice (Brussels)

I was thrilled to participate in the symposium on Arabic Language Learning in Europe: Realities of Policy & Practice, which took place in Brussels on May 8-9. As a language enthusiast, I have always been interested in the importance of language learning in education policies. I believe that the recognition of Arabic as the fifth most spoken language in the world is a significant development that warrants attention from language educators and policymakers.

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Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (United Arab Emirates)

I am thrilled to share that I have been invited to be a special guest at the 14th edition of Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF23) in the United Arab Emirates. On behalf of Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) and its chairman Mr. Ahmad Al Ameri, I was extended an invitation to participate in the festival that is scheduled to take place from May 03 to 14, 2023.

As an author, educator, and an advocate for bilingual education, I am very excited to share my work and knowledge with the festival attendees. I have been asked to be part of a distinct discussion titled ‘The importance of raising a trilingual generation: Children with three languages.’ I am thrilled to share my expertise in this area and hope to benefit the thousands of readers and visitors who attend the festival every year.

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L’arabe pour tous / Arabic for All with Nabil Wakim

“Dad, why did you lose your tongue?” The question was asked by the five-year-old daughter of Le Monde journalist Nabil Wakim, born in Lebanon and relocated in France at around the same age. Why did Nabil Wakim lose his mother tongue? And why do many personalities in France, like Najat Vallaud-Belkacem and Myriam El Khomri, two former government ministers, or the singer Camélia Jordana, the journalist Nassira El Moaddem and many others, carry this contradiction in them? Namely: having spoken the Arabic language at a younger age before losing it. Worse, finding yourself almost unable to relearn it later. Here is the recording of an interview I recently had with author Nabil Wakim, as part of French Morning’s 2020 Bilingual Fair, and a discussion that I further develop in this blog post.

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Sharjah International Book Fair

I was fortunate to be a guest of Sharjah Book Authority during the 2019 Sharjah International Book Fair in the UAE. This was my first time participating in the fair which welcomed over 2 million visitors from the Gulf region and over 60 countries. I took part in a discussion panel debating bilingualism and what the future of diverse bilingual education and communities hold. I also launched the Arabic version of my book, The Bilingual Revolution, thanks to a partnership with Austin Macauley Publishers. Overall, this has been a unique experience which I will never forget.

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الثورة ثنائية اللغة

I am grateful to Austin Macauley Publishers for the release of my book, The Bilingual Revolution, in the Arabic language: الثورة ثنائية اللغة I have written The Bilingual Revolution to help families and educators create and develop dual-language programs in their schools. Because I am committed to promoting the teaching of Arabic in schools in … Continue reading الثورة ثنائية اللغة

Launch of The Bilingual Revolution in Arabic at 34th Sharjah International Book Fair

Photo by WAM

I am thrilled to take part in the upcoming Sharjah International Book Fair where I will share the floor with an impressive list of participating authors, poets, bloggers, movie stars and award-winning musicians, including Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan, America’s most-loved host, Steve Harvey, Nobel Prize-winning Turkish author Orhan Pamuk, Mark Manson, New York Times bestselling author, Elisabetta Dami, a bestselling children’s author from Italy whose Geronimo Stilton series that my daughters love, and many more authors according to Gulf Today: Over 60 luminaries to topline Sharjah book fair.

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New York City’s Arabic Dual-Language Program Is Thriving

P.S./I.S. 30 Mary White Ovington School in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn hosts New York City’s only Arabic dual-language program. From pre-K to 5th grade, and soon 8th grade, it is always a joy to see the children flourish in two languages. After several months of extensive collaboration and planning, the Arabic dual-language program at P.S./I.S.30 opened its doors in September 2013. The dual-language curriculum was designed as a split day, where morning classes are taught in Arabic and afternoon classes in English, or vice versa.

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Multilingual Education Fair in Washington, DC

I am thrilled to keynote during DC’s upcoming Multilingual Education Fair on January 26. Co-sponsored by the key education institutions of the District, the fair features 100 exhibitors covering 12 languages to allow you to explore and deepen your linguistic and cultural skills, and learn about careers where language skills are crucial.
The Fair will be located on the Gallaudet University campus at the I. King Jordan Student Academic Center (800 Florida Ave NE, Washington DC 20002).

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