As Gulf Cooperation Council countries have expressed in their Vision 2030 economic revitalization plans, the Arabic language is central to their future. But ensuring that the language remains central to national identity requires the educational programs to match.
But Saudi Arabia is already one step ahead in that effort. In January, the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language announced the launch of the Ahlan Wa Sahlan educational platform, a digital language-learning initiative designed to teach Arabic to native and non-native speakers alike.
“The platform provides comprehensive programs covering general language skills across five levels, as well as specialized programs in professional fields such as management, health, and sports,” the announcement press release states. “Learners can progress at their own pace, supported by standardized assessment tools and comprehensive tests.”
Arab News reports that the platform is designed to create a flexible learning environment that users can engage with at their own pace. According to a press release announcing the platform, Ahlan Wa Sahlan uses an interactive design crafted to engage language learners no matter whether their language skills are advanced, basic, or nonexistent. Thanks to its flexible self-learning style, it’s a great fit for professionals to balance language learning with busy work lives — and that’s a good thing, given that the Vision 2030 agenda will require qualified Arabic speakers to enact its ambitious economic agenda.
The platform also fits seamlessly with GCC goals to expand the presence of Arabic in worldwide educational institutions. Launching with support for five languages, technical assistance, and a robust toolset, it fits seamlessly into the educational toolset of any institution requiring content management, learner organization, program customization, analytical reporting, and performance tracking systems.
With a powerful toolset and learning-friendly design, the Ahlan Wa Sahlan platform should come as a boon for anyone interested in learning Arabic for work or even simple personal interest. After all, a wealth of Arabic literature and art can only be fully appreciated in its original language.
But learning Arabic is no mean feat, particularly for English speakers. Ranked by the US Foreign Service Institute as a Category 4 language — the hardest class of language for English speakers to learn — it requires students to master its unique phonetic sounds, complex grammar, a right-to-left script entirely dissimilar from the Latin alphabet, and a dialectical diversity rivaled by few other languages.
Geoffrey Alphonso, CEO of Alef Education, acknowledged that difficulty in an article for Forbes Technology Council. But he also finds optimism in the emerging digital tools at hand, a language-learning tool class into which the Ahlan Wa Sahlan platform falls neatly. That’s not to say digital tools are the ultimate educational panacea — research shows that “inconsistent content quality, unreliable internet access and a lack of social interaction” can hamper language acquisition. That, however, is potentially offset by the flexibility and unique advantages of tech-based platforms, including “personalized exercises, real-time feedback and targeted practice to enhance learning efficiency.”
“As Arabic continues to gain prominence on the global stage, the need for effective and innovative language-learning solutions is greater than ever,” Alphonso writes. “Addressing the barriers through technology and adaptive learning strategies will ensure that Arabic language learning becomes more accessible to non-native speakers.