Kirjahaku

This study proposes a strong and innovative model of teaching that centers on the student, and reports on the efficacy of this model using quantitative research procedures. This model of teaching is systematized in the Marhaba curriculum, a method of teaching first year high school Arabic designed, tested, and evaluated by the Marhaba Project. The Marhaba curriculum is founded on best practices and is a natural outgrowth of contemporary education theories, including non-linear curriculum design and multiple modality teaching materials that take into consideration students' diverse learning styles. Analysis of data indicates that use of the Marhaba curriculum positively influences student proficiency in Arabic. In particular, students become proficient regardless of a student's gender, grade, socioeconomic status, or parent educational background. Also, student proficiency is not dependent on a student's attitude to learning or engagement in class, or a student's attitude toward the curriculum.

Case Method and the Arabic Teacher: A Practical Guide compiles original case studies that address the unique challenges of teaching Arabic at the high school level. The book's engaging and accessible classroom scenarios reflect the experiences of a diverse group of Arabic teachers working in a variety of educational settings ranging from elite private schools to large public schools with low income student populations. In the case studies, teachers offer compelling accounts of the political, institutional, and curricular issues they encountered not only in their classrooms, but also in their wider schools and communities. Combining research-based methodology with firsthand pedagogical narratives, this book is a valuable resource for teachers, teacher trainers, researchers, and other stakeholders who support the teaching of Arabic.