Arabic
We are all blessed to live in the UAE where our children have the opportunity to learn Arabic from a very early age (SVS STARTERS onwards). Our lessons are compulsory and aligned to the MOE curriculum for both Arabic A students (Native Arabic speakers) and Arabic B students (Non-native Arabic speakers).
We pride ourselves in going beyond the curriculum to bring Arabic alive in lessons so that students are engaged in their learning through regular opportunities for students to speak in, and listen to, classical Arabic (Al fos’ha) and conversational Arabic.
We subscribe to both ‘I READ ARABIC’ (Native speakers) and ‘I START ARABIC’ (non-native speakers); two online programmes which create a bespoke reading path for every child.
The children write in almost all Arabic lessons every week, with half-termly opportunities to write extended pieces.
Whilst we do differentiate in lessons based on the needs of students, we also group Arabic B students in-line with the number of years they have studied Arabic to add an extra layer of support to their early learning needs.
The four elements of learning Arabic (speaking, listening, reading and writing) are also at the core of the regular homework we send to all students from Yr 2 upwards. Additionally, we produce a transliteration sheet alongside every unit of work in Arabic B that we send home to support the parents to support their children develop as learners of Arabic.
Islamic Studies
Our Muslim students all follow the MOE curriculum for Islamic Education.
Native Arabic speakers (Islamic A) learn in Arabic whilst our non-Arabic speakers (Islamic B) have their lessons taught in English.
Staff use a range of resources to implement the curriculum and embed best practices to help our Muslim students learn about the core elements of:
Devine Revelation
Islamic Creed
Islamic Rules
Identity Syrah
Values & Morals
Quran recitation is a major part of each lesson and the use of correct Tajweed is emphasised using technology to model expectations. Recitation is viewed as a home/school partnership and is a key aspect of homework. We host internal and external recitation competitions to encourage exposure to recitation strategies.
Through age-appropriate stories, our staff share wonderful insights to the teachings from the Qur’an and the lives of the prophets (PBUT). Our students are then encouraged to reflect upon these teachings and consider how they can guide daily life in the 21st Century.
Since Islam is the religion of the UAE and interwoven with UAE society, we also invite our Muslim students to share some of their recitation with the rest of KS2 in assemblies, ensure all students understand the key points events on a Muslim calendar (e.g. Ramadan & Eid), and encourage visits to local places of interest and culture (e.g. Qur’anic Park for Yrs 5 – 7 students).
